The Penta Hotel, Reading

Reading Careers Fair.

Venue & date The Penta Hotel · 24 February 2027 · Oxford Road, Reading, RG1 7RH Event day Wednesday
Open hours ⏰ 10am – 2pm Countdown ⏳ …
Employers National & local · All industries Roles Entry to senior
Register free Free entry · takes under a minute

🔒 We only ask for your email — nothing else.

Stands from £495 + VAT

Explore living & working here
Fresh from our Jobs Board

Hiring in and around this city.

Live jobs, courses and apprenticeships from our Jobs Board — a gold badge means you can meet that employer at one of our fairs. Apply early, or say hello on the day.

See all opportunities →
Stands available

Reading Careers Fair.

The Penta Hotel · 24 February 2027Oxford Road, Reading, RG1 7RH

10km marketing radius Open to all industries Company-specific marketing

No risk, book with confidence

Explore hiring in this area
INCLUDED With your stand

One booking. A room full of candidates — and a year on our Jobs Board.

Post your jobs, courses and apprenticeships once — they work everywhere we do: on our national Jobs Board, broadcast to Google Jobs, and highlighted to the candidates coming to this event — for 12 months, at no extra cost.

Book your stand →
  • ✓Your exhibitor space — table, tablecloth & chairs, ready on arrival.
  • ✓Company-specific marketing — promoted before & after the event.
  • ✓12 months on our Jobs Board — jobs, courses & apprenticeships, broadcast to Google Jobs, and your whole team can post (anyone on your company's email domain).
  • ✓Applications straight to your inbox — no middleman, never a fee per hire.
  • ✓Dedicated account manager — before, during and after the event.
  • ✓Exhibitor guide & refreshments — plus book-with-confidence protection.
Reasons to book

So many reasons to exhibit at the Reading Careers Fair

Here are a few — every event is built to put your brand in front of people actively looking for something new.

Candidates filling the aisles between exhibitor stands at a busy careers fair
An exhibitor chatting with a candidate across her stand
100k motivated candidates attend our events each year
50+ UK locations each year
100% Hire on the day, face-to-face
Hire, train, recruit, advertise or market Use every event your way — each one draws people looking for something new.

Stand options

Every Booking Includes

Fully loaded from day one

Pre & post promotionMarketing before and after the event.
Account managerYour contact before, during and after.
Exhibitor spaceTable, tablecloth and chairs, ready on arrival.
12 months job boardUnlimited postings, included.
Exhibitor guideArrival times, parking, prep tips.
RefreshmentsComplimentary, all day.
Book with confidenceYour booking is protected.
CV-Library accessFree for new customers.
What Happens Next

Smooth from booking to event day

1

Confirmation email

Immediate confirmation with your Exhibitor Guide — arrival times, parking and tips.

2

Account manager assigned

A dedicated account manager in touch and available before, during and after.

3

Pre-event check-in

We reach out 2–4 weeks before to confirm final details so you're fully prepared.

Local forecastEvent-day weather appears here inside the 8-day window.

Event timings

Exhibitor set-upVenue access from 9am — we recommend arriving 30 minutes before doors open.
Doors open Arrive by 1pm to give yourself time at every stand. Candidates begin arriving — make sure you're set up and ready to welcome them.
Event winds down Last chance to connect — don't leave it too late! Final conversations and pack-down begins.

Companies who've exhibited with us here

Line-ups change right up to event day — register free and we'll keep you posted as more employers confirm their attendance.

Venue & Travel

The Penta Hotel

Oxford Road, Reading, RG1 7RH

🅿️

♿Venues are chosen with accessibility in mind. For specific requirements, contact the team.

🕙Event runs 10am – 2pm. Exhibitor access from 9am.

🧭 Directions

FAQs

Location guide / South East

Living & working
in Reading.

Technology and business services make Reading a significant workplace in its own right, as well as a base for the wider Thames Valley. The station and local bus network support different journeys to offices and business parks. Rivers, museums and town-centre venues provide the setting outside work.

  • Technology and business services
  • Rail hub with local connections
  • Town and borough boundaries matter

By The UK Careers Fair Editorial Team
Last updated

Read the location guideClose the location guide
Last updated 5 chapters · 3 min read

Know the areaThe housing benchmark covers Reading borough. Some places marketed as Reading, including nearby business parks and residential areas, are in neighbouring authorities.

Official area data

The local picture

Data checked 3 November 2026
Average private rent / month£1,582

Reading · September 2026

September 2025September 2026
Average house price£350,501

Reading · August 2026

August 2025August 2026
Population estimate183,762

Reading · 2025

Whole statistical area, not necessarily the town boundary.

Employment rate, age 16–64: 81.3% · Reading · Jul 2025-Jun 2026. Survey estimate; local results can be volatile.

Area averages are not current asking prices or individual property valuations. Local short-term changes are volatile; use a year or longer. UK HPI house-price observations are provisional and subject to revision.

01

Work & opportunity

Technology, insurance and business services.

Reading Borough Council describes a strong information and communications technology base alongside insurance, business services, retail and the evening economy. The town’s economy and destination agency provides an investment hub for exploring the broader business landscape.

Ask exhibitors about the site, attendance expectations and progression. A role based on a business park may need an onward connection from the railway station. Consider supporting occupations such as customer success, administration, operations and facilities alongside specialist technical work.

The University of Reading is one employer example. Its human resources hub links to recruitment and staff development, while its student-focused Campus Jobs service covers temporary work. Confirm which campus and route apply; university employment extends beyond academic roles.

Make it practical
  • Search locally before assuming a London commute.
  • Clarify which office or campus hosts the role.
  • Use National Careers Service for course options.
02

Homes & cost of living

Town-centre homes and business-park access.

Homes & everyday costs

Compare central Reading, Caversham and west-of-centre areas as different starting points, then test the route to the actual job. Check the final walk, shops, noise and storage during a viewing.

The official rent figure shown alongside covers Reading borough. It combines property types and both existing and new tenancies, and excludes neighbouring authorities. Use current listings for your required size, then add Council Tax, bills and a realistic travel budget.

Make it practical
  • Confirm the council for the postcode.
  • Compare the same property type.
  • Check whether parking or other charges are extra.
03

Getting around

Reading station and the local bus connection.

Reading station is on Station Hill. National Rail provides current facilities and services, while Reading Buses provides local route and planning information. Use both for a journey that includes the final connection to an office, campus or shift location.

Check the arrival time you need and the return after work. For hybrid attendance, compare actual weekly costs rather than assuming a full commuting pattern. A direct train can still lead to an inconvenient overall trip if the onward bus or walk is poorly matched.

Make it practical
  • Check the last useful connection home.
  • Save a disruption alternative.
  • Confirm accessibility arrangements with the operator.
Explore the official sourcesReading Buses Reading station
04

Life beyond work

Museums, the Thames and the Kennet and Avon Canal.

Reading’s official guide covers museums, heritage, sport, the Thames and the Kennet and Avon Canal. Use it to identify local activities alongside bigger events, checking the current programme and access arrangements before travelling.

A good relocation visit should include ordinary errands as well as a riverside walk: try the supermarket, library or leisure journey from the address you are considering. That helps distinguish a convenient home base from a place that works only for a weekend visit.

Make it practical
  • Browse official current events.
  • Explore waterside routes suited to your needs.
  • Check the return journey for evening plans.
Explore the official sourcesOfficial Reading guide
05

Settling in

Borough services for the full address.

Make your move

Reading Borough Council provides Council Tax, housing, waste, parking and local service information. A Reading postal address is not always inside the borough; confirm the authority for the exact home before arranging services or estimating bills.

Prepare the inventory, utilities, work documents and first-month costs together. If moving with children, confirm the appropriate school-admissions route and childcare availability. Match provider hours with the full commute rather than the contracted working hours alone.

Make it practical
  • Register with a GP near your address.
  • Check council school-admissions and childcare information.
  • Record the condition of the home on arrival.
↗

Sources & dates

The detail behind your decisions.

We use official local authorities, transport operators, public data and destination organisations. Data periods are shown alongside figures. Employer examples describe the local economy; they are not a promise of vacancies or attendance at the fair.

  1. Profile of Reading Reading Borough Council · accessed 3 November 2026
  2. Reading investment hub launch Reading Economy and Destination Agency · accessed 3 November 2026
  3. Housing prices in Reading Office for National Statistics · accessed 3 November 2026 · September 2026 rents; released 21 October 2026
  4. Reading Buses Reading Buses · accessed 3 November 2026
  5. Reading station National Rail · accessed 3 November 2026
  6. Official Reading guide Reading Economy and Destination Agency · accessed 3 November 2026
  7. Reading Borough Council Reading Borough Council · accessed 3 November 2026
  8. Register with a GP NHS · accessed 3 November 2026
  9. Careers and course guidance National Careers Service · accessed 3 November 2026
  10. Working at the University of Reading University of Reading · accessed 3 November 2026
  11. Campus Jobs service University of Reading · accessed 3 November 2026

Next editorial review due 3 December 2026. Prices, services and availability can change before then.

Careers fairs

Meet employers in person.

Find an upcoming fair and ask employers about their roles, workplaces and training.

For employers / Reading

Hiring in Reading.

Understand the local workforce. Meet candidates face to face.

Local knowledge.
Face-to-face connections.

Use the figures to plan your recruitment, then meet candidates and introduce your opportunities at The UK Careers Fair.Exhibit in Reading

Official figures for Reading. These describe the statistical area, which may differ from Reading and the fair’s catchment. They are not a forecast of attendance or candidates’ skills.

01 / The people behind the numbers

The local workforce

Shape the roles, training and working patterns you bring to your stand.

Residents aged 16–64

127,898Reading · Mid-2025Includes people in work, studying and outside the labour force.

Economically active, age 16–64

84.1%Reading · Jul 2025-Jun 2026In work or unemployed under the survey definition. 95% margin: ±3.5 percentage points.

Higher qualifications (RQF4+)

63.1%Reading · Jan 2025-Dec 2025Residents aged 16–64 with level 4 or above. 95% margin: ±5 percentage points.
Occupations of employed residents

Reading · Jul 2025-Jun 2026. Shares of people already in work; survey estimates, not available applicants. Only published, reliable estimates are shown.

Occupation groupShare95% margin
% all in employment who are - 1: managers, directors and senior officials (SOC2020)8.1%±2.8 pp
% all in employment who are - 2: professional occupations (SOC2020)38.2%±5.1 pp
% all in employment who are - 3: associate professional occupations (SOC2020)15.5%±3.8 pp
% all in employment who are - 4: administrative and secretarial occupations (SOC2020)9.3%±3.0 pp
% all in employment who are - 5: skilled trades occupations (SOC2020)5.4%±2.4 pp
% all in employment who are - 6: caring, leisure and other service occupations (SOC2020)10.9%±3.2 pp
% all in employment who are - 7: sales and customer service occupations (SOC2020)3.3%±1.9 pp
% all in employment who are - 8: process, plant and machine operatives (SOC2020)3.3%±1.9 pp
% all in employment who are - 9: elementary occupations (SOC2020)6.0%±2.5 pp
Make the conversation count.

Tell candidates what the work involves, what support you offer and which skills can be learned on the job. A conversation at your stand gives both sides room to ask questions.

02 / Put your offer in context

Pay & the local economy

Use published benchmarks alongside the requirements of the role you are hiring for.

Employee jobs in the area

121,000Reading · 2024Workplace-based, rounded estimates. Existing jobs, not vacancies.

Median gross full-time pay / week

£995Reading UA · April 2026 (provisional)Local workplaces; all occupations. CV 4.4%.

Jobs per working-age resident

1.08Reading · 2024Total jobs divided by residents aged 16–64. A ratio, not a percentage.

Where local employee jobs are

Reading · 2024

Largest published industry groups. These are existing employee jobs, not vacancies.

  1. Computer programming, consultancy and related activities14,000
  2. Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles11,000
  3. Human health activities11,000
  4. Education7,000
  5. Telecommunications6,000
Bring a clear offer to the fair.

Make pay, hours, location and progression easy to understand. Your team can explain what makes the opportunity worthwhile and arrange the next step while the conversation is fresh.

Sources, reporting periods & how we use the data

Data is refreshed from official public feeds. Different releases cover different periods; the date beside each figure is the period it measures. Suppressed and unreliable estimates are omitted. Survey estimates are subject to uncertainty and revision. Missing data is never shown as zero.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

From the exhibition floor

What employers say about Reading

11 published testimonials from Reading Careers Fair. Feedback relates to past events.

Reading Careers Fair

The event co-ordinators were most helpful, we were flooded with customers, excellent day and saw so many new customers and very helpful staff - thank you.

Adviza National Careers ServicePast exhibitor
Read the published review

Reading Careers Fair

The footfall of this event and the companies attended was much higher than this time last year, and it appears to be seamlessly organised.

Wellcome Sanger InstitutePast exhibitor
Read the published review

Reading Careers Fair

Although there was a number of school/college leavers we also made some good contacts in attendance.

Star RefrigerationPast exhibitor
Read the published review

Reading Careers Fair

Good number of candidates right up until the end which is unusual as these events normally die a death up to an hour before. Have 5 interviews booked so far so looking good!

Audley VillagesPast exhibitor
Read the published review

Reading Careers Fair

Really friendly guys! and very helpful. We did reach a good number of candidates that will be ideal for our company - best careers fair I've been to :)

Profiles PersonnelPast exhibitor
Read the published review

Reading Careers Fair

Everything flowed nicely, the coordinator was very friendly and welcoming. The event provided free tea and coffee which was a nice touch.

Pitman TrainingPast exhibitor
Read the published review

Reading Careers Fair

We did reach a good amount of candidates that will be ideal for our company.

Vision For EducationPast exhibitor
Read the published review

Reading Careers Fair

Was a great event with many skilled candidates who potentially we can help get into work.

Absolute Services LimitedPast exhibitor
Read the published review

Reading Careers Fair

Great team supporting the event, polite and professional.

TQRPast exhibitor
Read the published review

Reading Careers Fair

Excellent team representing The UK Careers Fair

G4SPast exhibitor
Read the published review

Reading Careers Fair

Great venue! Good central location which seemed to reflect in the footfall. Very helpful coordinators and knew where I could find them if I needed them. Fab day!

Bluetree GroupPast exhibitor
Read the published review
Swipe or use the arrows to explore the feedback.Logos provided by Logo.devSee all feedback from this fair ↗

The UK Careers Fair

Put your team
in the conversation.

Meet people interested in their next move. Share your roles, answer their questions and make a personal introduction to your organisation.

Book a stand in Reading Talk to our team about Reading ↗

Bring your vacancies, your people and a clear next step for candidates.

Nearby fairs

More fairs near Reading

Can’t make this date? The next Reading dates come first, then the closest towns.

  1. Reading Careers Fair, 19 May 2027 at The Penta Hotel
    Also in Reading

    Reading Careers Fair

    19 May 2027The Penta Hotel

    Register free Stands from £495 + VATView stands
  2. Reading Careers Fair, 15 October 2027 at The Penta Hotel
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    Reading Careers Fair

    15 October 2027The Penta Hotel

    Register free Stands from £495 + VATView stands
  3. Guildford Careers Fair, 12 March 2027 at G Live
    23 miles away

    Guildford Careers Fair

    12 March 2027G Live

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  4. South West London Careers Fair, 8 October 2027 at Twickenham, Allianz Stadium
    27 miles away

    South West London Careers Fair

    8 October 2027Twickenham, Allianz Stadium

    Register free Stands from £795 + VATView stands
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