EX-OFFENDERS are among those who could get job opportunities at an employers’ conference in Oxford today.

Charity Aspire Oxford hopes to help ex-offenders and disadvantaged youngsters get work after inviting speakers from companies including John Lewis and Pret a Manger to the conference at Unipart in Garsington Road, from 9.30am to 2pm.

Charity spokeswoman Helen Mariner said 85 delegates were expected to attend the Unlocking Potential for Oxfordshire conference.

Aspire Oxford won last year’s Oxford Times Charity and Community Award category at the Oxfordshire Business Awards, and 29 staff are based at a former primary school in Osney Lane, Oxford.