Job Fair set to open at 10 am Friday

An expected 40 or more participants will set up shop in the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre on Friday, as the fourth annual Prince Rupert and Area Job Fair gets underway at 10 am.

The job fair which runs until 3 pm will provide five hours of employment and educational related options for local residents, who may be interested in finding out what's new in the area as far as what opportunities are available to them.

The Daily News provided a preview of the day's events in Wednesday's paper.

Job fair to highlight full range of career options
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Pages one and three

More than 40 exhibitors will be showcasing career opportunities during the Prince Rupert and Area Fourth Annual Job Fair.

The event takes place Fri., March 7, at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre auditorium from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Denise Doolan, Youth Coordinator at the Edge Youth Employment Centre, said the momentum is building as exhibitors are confirming their attendance and as they gear up for the event.
And organizers have already exceeded the number of exhibitors that took part last year - and they are still accepting registrations from employers.

Doolan said the final tally of participants would be well over the 40 exhibitors.
At the job fair, organizations may have immediate opportunities or may be expecting to hire someone, sometime in the future.

They may be looking for summer, full-time, part-time, permanent, or contract positions.
There are jobs out there and recruiters want to give a good impression as much as the job seekers.

Also, included in this job fair are organizations that can aid in the development or progression of an individual's career - anything that can help them succeed in a career including providers of training and exhibitors with funding information.

"We hope to have an exciting and interactive job fair this year, including activities such as the BC Ambulance Service arranging to have their medevac helicopter onsite, the Northwest Community College Culinary students demonstrating their skills, 'Theatre on The Edge' participants providing an interactive interview booth, and live radio broadcasting," said Doolan.
In addition to secondary and post-secondary students, organizers encourage participants of all ages and backgrounds to come out and explore their options.

More and more adults are attending job fairs. Doolan explained they come because they are looking for a new beginning: some have been laid off, some are reentering the workforce and others are thinking about changing careers.

"One woman told us the job fair gave her the boost she needed to re-enter the workforce," said one exhibitor.

"She also said the fair helped some of her older friends realize that they could start a career at any age," the exhibitor explained.

"At our booth, truck drivers were asking questions about careers in nursing," said another representative.

Anyone wanting to learn how to get the best out of the job fair, can pick up a participant package at the Career Resource Centre, the Edge, Northwest Community College and the Friendship House.

Admission is free, there will be door prizes and refreshments.

For more information about the event call Denise Doolan at 627-5627.

The event is being sponsored by the Government of Canada, School District No. 52, Hecate Strait Employment Development Society, Community Futures Development Corporation of the Pacific North West, Northwest Community College, Overwaitea Foods, Royal LePage, The Career Resource Centre and The Edge Youth Employment Centre.