Job Fair+ shows many jobs available

The Job Fair+ held on Sept. 29 was another success, drawing nearly 300 people and 26 exhibitors. (Jeff Helsdon Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Indicators from the recent Job Fair+ show the local job market is in good shape despite the pandemonium in the national economy.

Organizers of the event, put on by the Multi-Service Centre, the Town of Tillsonburg and multiple partners, said spots for employers to find employees filled up quickly. And the 300-plus people who attended the event were down from more than 500 at the last job fair in the spring, although Randi-Lee Durham, director of employment and literacy programs, admitted people seeking employment at PeopleCare may have boosted the numbers in the spring.

One big factor in the mix is those who worked at CAMI, many of whom Gail Lonsberry, manager of employment services, said may still be in a holding pattern to see whether production starts at the Ingersoll facility again.

“They haven’t all found employment, but they’re trying to wait and see,” she said.

The Sept. 30 event featured a wide variety of potential employers in the industrial sector, including Fleetwood Metal Industries, Future Transfer Co., Coilplus Canada, Rhythm Automotive, Stubbe’s, Soprema, Townsend Lumber and Toyotetsu.

Several employers were looking to fill positions in health services, including Rural Roads Health Services, CarePartners, and Stonebridge. Circle of Care Support Services, the Multi-Service Center, VON, and Bayshore Home Care Solutions were recruiting for personal support and developmental support workers. The Canadian Armed Forces was on site, raising public awareness of opportunities within the military.

Educational institutions, such as the Ontario Truck Driving School, Academy of Building Technology, Contact North, and Fanshawe College, shared information about their programs. There were unique opportunities in other fields, such as school bus drivers, farm positions, and deaf/blind intervenors.

Job Fair+ by the numbers

• Nearly half of all attendees were under the age of 36

• 63 per cent were Tillsonburg residents, and 37 per cent came from surrounding communities and beyond

• Healthcare, manufacturing/trades/logistics, and office/admin/business were the strongest identified industries of interest.

Employer/Exhibitor stats:

• 26 exhibitors attended: 22 employers, three education/training providers, and one community partner

• Overall event satisfaction was very positive.

• When asked “Approximately how many applicants did your team speak with today?”, 23 exhibitors answered this question, and the combined total was 806 connections made.

• When asked “How many applicants will you be contacting for next steps/interviews?”, 16 exhibitors quantified their answers with a total of 101 applicants moving to “next steps”.