Work Avenue sees 50% surge in demand as 120 attend flagship careers event
New Year New Career gathering highlights rising employment pressures across the Jewish community
More than 120 people from across the Jewish community attended Work Avenue’s New Year New Career 2026 event in central London, underlining a sharp rise in demand for employment support amid a tightening jobs market.
Attendance at the annual flagship event rose by 50 percent compared with last year, drawing participants from a wide age range and professional backgrounds – from students and entry-level job seekers to senior professionals and people in their 60s and 70s.
The day-long programme combined panel discussions, workshops and skills sessions designed to support job seekers at every stage of their careers, against a backdrop of growing economic uncertainty.
Opening the event, Work Avenue chief executive Debbie Lebrett addressed the challenges facing job seekers, pointing to a cooling labour market and falling vacancies.
“We are in a time when the economy is very challenging, the labour market has been cooling, vacancies are falling, graduate roles are tight and finding employment and building a meaningful career at any stage of life can be tough,” she said. “That’s why Work Avenue is here, firstly to smile and to tell you that it may be all doom and gloom out there, and then to provide a caring, listening ear alongside practical support to help you succeed. We are here to make things work and help our clients to earn a living.”
A keynote discussion hosted by Sheerluxe editor-in-chief Charlotte Collins brought together employers to share practical guidance on recruitment, from identifying transferable skills to tailoring CVs and researching organisations ahead of interviews.
Breakout sessions tackled some of the most common concerns raised by job seekers, including how to turn fears about artificial intelligence and age into strengths. One session, Launch into Law: Early Careers Unlocked, proved so popular that it was standing-room only.
Later workshops led by the Work Avenue team focused on core employability skills, including career direction, CV writing, interview preparation and recognising transferable experience.
Leivi Saltman Photography
The event closed with a session titled Because You Are Worth It, hosted by presentation coach Adam Taub, who explored the role of confidence in securing employment.
“Getting the job is not just about being yourself… but being the best version of yourself,” Taub told attendees. “Employers need to feel you are somebody they want to work with, not just somebody who will be good at the job, but somebody they want to have in the office.”
Participants described the event as both practical and uplifting. Stuart, an older attendee, said: “This was such an informative day, especially learning what employers are looking for and how you can use age to your advantage.”
Marina, who has recently arrived in the UK, added: “Wow! What Work Avenue does is amazing. I learned so many new things, especially through being able to hear directly from recruiters and employers about the skills they look for.”
Leivi Saltman Photography
Work Avenue also used the event to outline upcoming programmes, including a new Career Reboot for Women course offering training, mentoring and confidence-building, with free Ofsted-registered childcare.
The charity will run a 36-hour campaign on 1-2 February as it seeks to raise the £1.2 million required to sustain its employment and business services.
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