Selkirk College hosted over 20 different exhibitors at the "B.C. Jobs Start Here" Job Fair on Thursday (Feb. 21) at the school. The event was aimed at job seekers of all ages from high school to college to adults.
"We're touring 23 different communities through B.C.," said Theodora Ip, tour staff member with BC Job Plans team. "So far it's really good. We've had a couple of school groups that have come through. We've had a bunch of young adults doing career development programs and such. They're going through all the booths and interacting with all the employers. That's our main goal. We're here to connect job seekers to employers and help people transition to jobs."
In addition to the job booths, there were several information booths from various courses and programs from Selkirk College.
"We're partnered with Selkirk College today," said Ip. "They have faculty members, departments, all sorts of information and great resources for potential students. There are some employers here that are taking resumes. So we're encouraging people to go booth to booth and just grab some information, some resources, whatever will help."
Ip says the job market in B.C. is promising. She says the job fairs can help those looking for work to perhaps think of different strategies to employment.
"There are quite a few employers that offer internship and summer opportunities at the Castlegar job fair today," she said. "We're looking at 43 per cent of the jobs in the next year are learning towards skills and trades. That's what the government is pushing for people to look into skills and training portion of it because there is a shortage."