Creating opportunities, supporting communities and bringing organisations together has long been part of White Label’s work. Over the last four years in particular, our social value activity in Croydon has grown from strength to strength, developing into a connected programme of careers fairs, recruitment events, skills initiatives and employer engagement activities that help local residents access opportunities while strengthening partnerships across the borough.
Our partners have included Croydon Council, Croydon Works, CALAT, London South Bank University, Jobcentre Plus, Develop Croydon, Asian Resource Centre Croydon, Smart Works, Ingeus and Work Works, alongside many employers and local organisations.
The first Croydon Careers Fair took place in 2023 with support from Feldberg Capital at Mosaic East. More than 200 people attended, with over 30 exhibitors offering local residents the chance to meet employers, explore different careers and access practical CV support.
The response showed there was a clear appetite for an event that brought employers, training providers, public services and support organisations together in one accessible setting.
In 2024, the fair expanded to around 700 attendees and almost 50 participating organisations. The programme also grew beyond employer stands, with panel discussions, keynote speakers, AI-powered CV workshops, financial literacy sessions, careers guidance and mock interviews. The objective was not simply to showcase vacancies, but to help attendees build confidence, develop skills and better understand the range of opportunities available to them.
The 2025 fair welcomed around 700 residents again, with careers and employability support joined by health and wellbeing activity. Attendees could access health checks, eye care referrals, AI workshops, financial literacy sessions, mock interviews and careers guidance.
The event also supported Croydon’s Trailblazers initiative, connecting residents with employment, skills and health support through trusted local organisations.
Croydon Careers Fair returns on 10 November for its fourth edition at Mosaic East. The programme will continue to bring together employers, training providers and support organisations, alongside workshops, mock interviews, wellbeing activity, health support and additional mental health provision.
The work around careers, skills and employability has also been recognised beyond the events themselves.
Feldberg Capital, which has supported and hosted the Croydon Careers Fair at Mosaic East, has been shortlisted in two award categories where the Careers Fair features as part of the recognised work: Social Impact Initiative of the Year at the Estates Gazette Awards and Excellence in Community Engagement – Partnerships at the Sustainable Real Estate Awards.
There has also been recognition for the people helping to build the wider programme. Our very own Julie Leggatt, Associate Director, recently received an Employer Recognition Award from the South London Careers Hub for her work as an Enterprise Adviser, supporting schools, colleges and young people and helping strengthen links between education and the world of work.
For White Label, that recognition is especially significant because the programme has always relied on people working across organisations and sectors to make opportunities more accessible.
The Careers Fair has also led to more focused initiatives for people who need a different type of support.
Following the 2024 fair, we delivered the Croydon Careers Breakfast, a smaller follow-on event offering more personalised support. Residents could access CV reviews, mock interviews, careers guidance and introductions to live opportunities through employers and specialist support organisations.
In 2026, we also worked with Croydon Council’s Housing Directorate to deliver the Croydon Housing Jobs & Careers Fair.
The event had a more direct recruitment focus, giving residents the chance to meet hiring managers, learn about careers in housing and property services, attend sector-specific talks and access employability support. More than 500 people attended, highlighting the demand for events that connect residents directly with employers and live vacancies.
These events have allowed us to work with different audiences and respond to different employment and skills needs, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
Supporting residents into work is only part of the picture. Stronger connections between employers, educators and the public sector are also needed to help address longer-term skills challenges.
Earlier this year, White Label worked with London South Bank University and Develop Croydon to deliver the Croydon Built Environment Skills Summit.
The event brought together employers, education providers and public sector stakeholders to discuss workforce challenges and future skills needs across construction, planning, surveying, architecture, building control and related sectors.
The discussion covered areas including apprenticeships, digital skills, retrofit and net zero careers, as well as how employers and education providers can work more closely together to prepare people for future roles.
Four years on, the Croydon Careers Fair is now part of a much wider programme of activity connecting local people with employers, education, training and support.
From large public careers fairs and recruitment events to smaller employability initiatives and sector-focused skills programmes, the aim remains the same – to make it easier for people to access opportunities and for organisations to connect with the talent they need.
Looking ahead to 2027, we’ll continue our work with Feldberg Capital and extend our careers fairs beyond our home in Croydon. From January, we already have six fairs planned across Akoya sites in London, starting at Power Road Studios in Chiswick.
As we look ahead to the 2026 Croydon Careers Fair, we’re proud of how the programme has developed and of the many partners who have helped make it possible.
Registration for Croydon Careers Fair 2026 is now open:
https://wlevents.org.uk/event/croydon-careers-fair-2026-registration/
If you would like to find out more about our upcoming careers events, or to discuss arranging one in your area, please contact careersfair@wlcreative.org.uk
