With the province’s unemployment rate hovering at 7.4 per cent and expected to rise, it’s no surprise that organizers of an upcoming career fair are predicting a strong turnout.
Nancy Nesbitt, associate director of alumni relations for Vancouver Community College, which will be hosting the open fair on May 20 at its Broadway campus, said she anticipates a mix of people at various stages of their careers.
“I think it will also maybe engage more people who have questions about retraining,” she said. “Maybe some people will be at crossroads and that might encourage more alumni to come back.”
It is estimated there will be between 35 and 40 employers from fields including health sciences, hospitality, transportation trades and design. Some confirmed employers so far include Vancouver Coastal Health, Certified General Accountants Association of B.C. and Sun Life Financial.
The event is open to the public, and attendance has grown each year since it began six years ago, according to Barb Ash, dean of student services.
Project co-ordinator Michael Yu said VCC will, for the first time, partner with Immigrant Services Society of B.C. (ISS of B.C.), one of the largest immigrant-serving agencies in Western Canada.
“A lot of the ESL students studying at VCC are at this stage upgrading their English, but they’re also making decisions on their future careers,” he said.
“(ISS of B.C.) is also working with our colleagues in counselling to do some preparation work with our immigrant students so they will be more ready when it comes to presenting themselves professionally in front of employers.”
ISS of B.C. will also bring in its employer contacts, upping the number of potential jobs available.
For more information, go to vcc.bc.ca.
