CLARKWATCH: Follow news and updates regarding sanctions on Mayor Clark.

Employment Services Hub hosts job fair as part of Career Week

Apr 26, 2018 | 3:18 PM

 

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Job seekers in Medicine Hat were able to speak with a number of employers and learn what it took to land a new job on Thursday.

Alberta Supports Employment Services Hub hosted a job fair at the provincial building on Thursday, which saw approximately 125 people walk through the doors. The event was being held as part of Alberta Career Week.

When the fair got underway at 10 a.m., there were approximately 20 people in the lobby, waiting for the doors to open to meet with employers.

“We have a lot of eager job seekers here,” said Alison Pfeifer, career consultant with the Alberta Employment Services Hub.

More than 15 employers took part in the job fair, including JBS, Red Hat Co-op, Southland Transportation and the CORE Association. Attendees were able to meet with the companies, find out what jobs were available, and schedule interviews, either in the afternoon, or later in the week.

“We’ve seen lots of people find success using job fairs, because it gives people a chance to get past their resume, really reach out to the employer and connect and show what skills they have available for different types of jobs, especially people who are looking at career changes or getting into different roles,” said Pfeifer.

Locally, the most recent unemployment stats show Medicine Hat had an unemployment rate of 7.5 per cent in March, down from 8.5 per cent in February. Pfeifer says the office is seeing a change in the local labour market.

“Anecdotally, we are seeing a lot of people finding work, especially with a lot of spring time jobs coming out, ” she said. “We’re seeing things starting to change, and i think we should continue to see that this year.

“The folks that we work with in our office, we’re starting to see them find jobs, good jobs, and I think we’ll see more of that.”

Pfeifer says on an average day, the Employment Services Hub is helping approximately 20 to 30 people.

On Friday, a  Resource Presentation for Career Planning and Job Seekers will be held at the Provincial Building from 9 a.m. – 11 p.m.