Chelsea Million and Borea Construction conducting interviews during their job fair. (Photo Courtesy Ross Lavigne)

By Gates Guarin

close to 250 applicants

Local job fairs finding success in hiring new talent

Jul 7, 2022 | 12:33 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Hatters who are looking for that quick summer job for the summer, or even a more long-term career may find attending one of the city’s job fairs to be what lands them the perfect position.

The YMCA employment service has seen hundreds of potential employees come and go when job fairs are announced. The YMCA has hosted eight job fairs since March for employers in the service and construction industries, as well as work in security.

According to the YMCA, close to 250 applicants dropped off a resume in that time period. Jodie Engbert, director of employment services, says hosting job fairs on almost a weekly basis shows how much demand there is for work in our area.

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“We have such a large client base,” Engbert says. “We currently operate five career and employment programs here, so we have quite a few job seekers that are continuously coming through our doors. So with the job fairs, we’re able to link employers directly to our client base for people that are actively seeking employment.”

Prospective employers have been reaching out to the community for those looking to secure jobs going into the summer months, and are hoping job fairs are the way to draw attention to their needs. One of those employers is Borea Construction. The company has partnered with the YMCA to utilize the network the YMCA has provided to further its reach to fill both corporate and manual labour positions here in the city.

The company specializes in renewable energy asset construction, and Chelsea Million, talent advisor for Borea, says the job fairs it has been a part of have been quite successful, largely in part of the partnership.

“So I think we have about 50 people attend in the March job fair, and then for this one, I think they’ve reached out to their network, we’ve posted on social media, used other media sources, so we’re expecting to have a good turnout hopefully in the community,” says Million.

If employers want to partner with the YMCA’s employment service, or if prospective employees want more information on upcoming job fairs in the city, Engbert says to email the YMCA at employment@medicinehatymca.ca or to visit their website.