Europe, Events, Jobs, Training, United Kingdom

First Unity Careers Fair Set to Take Place in Leeds

4 September 2026

Editorial Brief

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The inaugural Unity Careers Fair, organised by Unity Homes and Enterprise, will take place in Leeds on 22 September, featuring employers like Leeds United FC and Arriva, along with training providers. The event aims to offer job opportunities, training, and career advice to attendees, with guest speakers discussing employment topics. The fair is free, but attendees are encouraged to reserve a spot due to limited capacity.

EDITORIAL INSIGHT: Context, industry insight and market perspectives of this news story

The upcoming Unity Careers Fair brings together a mix of major employers, local authorities, and training providers, highlighting ongoing efforts to support employment and skills development in Leeds. Organised by Unity Homes and Enterprise, a BME housing association, the event aims to connect jobseekers with a broad range of opportunities, from entry-level positions to training and apprenticeships.

With participation from both well-known companies and community organisations, the fair is positioned as a practical resource for individuals seeking work or career progression, particularly in a city where employment support remains a priority for local policymakers. The involvement of senior council figures and regional leaders underlines the public sector’s stake in addressing workforce challenges and widening access to training, especially for underrepresented groups.

Story Ideas

Economic impact

Role of BME Organisations in Regional Economic Development

Unity Homes and Enterprise's organisation of the Unity Careers Fair highlights the role of BME-led initiatives in boosting economic development. The story would explore how BME groups are contributing to job creation and skills development in West Yorkshire, particularly in Leeds.

Target audience: regional and national media
Story potential: 7/10

Politics/policy

Partnerships Between Local Authorities and Businesses in Leeds

The involvement of Leeds City Council leaders and local politicians at the Unity Careers Fair provides a platform to explore collaborations between local authorities and businesses. This angle investigates how such partnerships aim to address unemployment and promote community development.

Target audience: regional and national media
Story potential: 6/10

Press Release

LEEDS, UK - 4 September 2026

Big name employers including Leeds United FC, Arriva, Equans and First Response Group have joined leading training providers Bradford College, Lifelong Learning Centre and Catch 22, together with the Yorkshire Asian Business Association, in signing up to exhibit at the inaugural Unity Careers Fair next month.

The free event, organised by prominent BME housing association Unity Homes and Enterprise, will take place on Tuesday 22 September from noon – 5.30pm at the Ramgarhia Sports Centre on Chapeltown Road in Leeds. Jobs, training, careers advice, training and volunteering opportunities will be on offer from employers and agencies. A series of guest speakers will also give talks on a range of employment-related topics throughout the day. Attendees will include Leeds City Council Leader Cllr James Lewis, Deputy Leader Cllr Salma Arif, West Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime Baroness Alison Lowe OBE, and local ward councillors. Food and refreshments will be served

Sean Kelly, Unity Homes and Enterprise Regeneration Manager, said: “This is a fantastic event for anyone seeking work, a change in career, an apprenticeship, training or returning to work. “We are excited by the quality of employers and trainers who have already signed up with numerous vacancies on offer. “There is still some space for a few more stalls and I would ask other prospective exhibitors to get in touch as soon as possible to avoid missing out.”

Cedric Boston, Unity Homes and Enterprise Chief Executive, said: “The first Unity Careers Fair is a landmark moment for us as a BME housing association committed to working with local communities to boost their life prospects. “Our award-winning Employment Services team are experts in helping people to gain employment and training opportunities. “Working with key partners, this event will enable them to do this on a much larger scale with many lives hopefully changed for the better.”

Although entry is free of charge, numbers are limited and attendees are strongly encouraged to reserve their place by logging on to Eventbrite and entering ‘Unity Careers Fair.’

Employers interested in hosting a stall are invited to email [email protected] for further details.

Notes to editors

About Unity Homes and Enterprise Unity Housing Association was formed in 1987 with the objective of building a strong, BME-led, community housing association to address the needs of black and minority ethnic communities in Leeds. The initial focus was on Chapeltown, but this has widened to other areas of the city including Harehills, Beeston, Holbeck, Chapel Allerton and Pudsey. Alongside two schemes in Huddersfield, a new affordable housing development has recently been completed in Cleckheaton. With a turnover of £6.8 million and an annual investment in new and existing homes of around £6.5 million, Unity now manages over 1,386 properties for tenants from all communities and ethnic backgrounds. In 2000 the association established its not-for-profit subsidiary company, Unity Enterprise, to support local entrepreneurial activity. It now provides 153 affordable business units for almost 100 diverse businesses which employ more than 1,250 people. Unity Employment Services (UES) was set up in 2011 to support Unity tenants and their surrounding communities in accessing employment and training opportunities. Over the past year, the team has helped 94 people into employment, 351 into training and eight into voluntary roles. 60 of those benefitting from the team’s help are Unity housing tenants. Since 2011, UES has supported a total of 3,131 people into employment and training.

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