The government’s drive to keep young professionals in the island is behind a fair for graduates.

The Isle of Man’s ageing population means it needs to attract young people to the island to fill jobs and pay taxes for services.

The Isle of Man Graduate Fair 2020 will take place in the middle of the 2020 Easter university break, on Friday, April 17, at the Villa Marina, Harris Promenade, Douglas.

The conference aims to help graduates get jobs in the Isle of Man by showcasing the opportunities available in the island.

The programme will include a line-up of organisation exhibitors who are on hand to provide those who attend with information and guidance on the employment opportunities available.

Three expert panel sessions will provide practical advice to help those there to write their CV and job applications, understand the professional qualification opportunities available in the island and tips on staying motivated during studies or working independently.

There will also be a dedicated ’start-up lab’, led by the Department for Enterprise’s business support staff, where experts will advise budding entrepreneurs on how to launch a business.

Last year’s event attracted more than 200 people - including graduates, undergraduates and representatives from some of the island’s leading organisations - and provided an opportunity to allow attendees to plan their return to the island in the future.

Laurence Skelly MHK, the Minister for Enterprise, said: ’The continuation of support for the graduate fair is testament to the department’s commitment to ensuring young people are aware of the career opportunities available to them in the island.

’By showcasing the diverse array of opportunities available in the island, we can demonstrate that the Isle of Man offers more than just an excellent quality of life for its residents. It is also a rewarding and stable place to launch an exciting and sustainable career.

’Our economy is in a strong position and, with further growth projected across a number of sectors, it is important that we fill vacancies to support this growth.

’By promoting the relocation of students and graduates, we encourage them to bring new skills, new ideas and ways of thinking to our island.

’Residents enjoy an unrivalled work-life balance in the Isle of Man thanks to our short commute times and beautiful natural landscape, but the strength of our offering is so much more than this.

’The volume and breadth of career opportunities available means that there are some truly exciting prospects for job seekers at present.’

Earlier this year a survey found that one in three of the island’s youngest employees, aged 18 to 29, have been promoted within the past 12 months, indicating that the island’s close community and established business networks could hold opportunity for rapid career progression.

The government says the fair is suitable for anyone studying at degree or postgraduate level in the Isle of Man, UK or further afield, recent graduates looking for their next career move, or final year school students who intend to head straight into employment.

Registration is free and can be completed at: https://www.isleofmangradfair.com

The graduate fair is being hosted by Locate Isle of Man, an initiative from the Department for Enterprise, which promotes the Isle of Man as a place to live, work and do business and aims to increase the population to boost the economy.