The annual Northern Ireland Graduate Recruitment Fair is returning this year on Tuesday 4 June, organised by Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University. 

The fair will see more than 65 of NI’s top employers come together to provide final year students and graduates with the opportunity to explore a wide range of potential careers, gain insights from industry professionals and boost their professional network by building connections.  

Sponsored by Grant Thornton NI and with nijobfinder.co.uk as media partner, the fair will take place from 11am to 3pm at Ulster University’s Belfast campus on York Street, and see a range of sectors represented including science, law, business, engineering, and computing and technology. 

Sandra Scannell, Employer Engagement Manager within Careers Employability and Skills at Queen’s said: 

"We are thrilled to partner with Ulster University for the highly prestigious Northern Ireland Graduate Recruitment Fair and to collaborate with Grant Thornton and Nijobfinder as sponsors. We aim to deliver yet another successful year of this event. 

“At Queen's, we are committed to assisting students in transitioning from university to the world of work. This event is crucial in raising awareness among graduating students about the extensive support available to them throughout their job search and beyond graduation. 

“The NI Grad Fair presents a unique and invaluable opportunity for students. It grants them vital access to employers and job opportunities just before graduation, ensuring they are equipped for the next step in their career journey. Furthermore, it serves as a platform for final-year students who have yet to secure a job, providing them an additional chance to secure a desired graduate role.” 

Brian Byers, Student and Graduate Opportunities Manager at Ulster University expressed how valuable this event will be for graduates and employers alike, he said: 

 “We are delighted to announce the return of the Northern Ireland Graduate Recruitment Fair, in partnership with Queen's University Belfast for 2024. 

“This one-day event is the largest annual gathering of graduate recruiters within Northern Ireland and therefore is a premier opportunity for our ambitious graduates to meet and match with NI’s top employers. It provides a platform for employers to share their 2024 graduate opportunities with a talented pool of students, whilst giving students a chance to engage directly with top employers gaining insights into different industries and career paths while understanding the evolving job market.  

“Our past experiences with this event have been exceedingly positive, with a significant number of graduates securing employment opportunities across a range of reputable organisations, helping them take the first initial steps towards a successful career journey.” 

Peter Legge, Tax Partner at Grant Thornton NI speaks of their sponsorship supporting students to transition from study into the working world, he said: 

“We are delighted to sponsor this year's Northern Ireland Graduate Recruitment Fair, a fantastic event providing graduates with an opportunity to explore the many potential prospects post-degree.  

“At Grant Thornton, we are passionate about developing the next generation of leaders, as evidenced by our commitment to our own graduate training programmes. We have witnessed first-hand the quality of talent that emerges from both the universities in Northern Ireland, and we maintain close connections through our sponsorship of the Queen’s University Belfast men’s and ladies' Rugby teams and the Ulster University Elks Ladies Hockey.   

“We believe this event will provide students with key insights into the vast array of career opportunities open to them and, at the same time, enable Northern Ireland’s top employers to meet and engage with the very best students.” 

You can find out more about the Northern Ireland Graduate Recruitment Fair by visiting the website nigradfair.org  

Media

Media enquiries to Queen’s Communications Office on email: comms.office@qub.ac.uk or Tel: (028) 9097 3091