Osoyoos is the only South Okanagan community selected for a new series of job fairs sponsored by the provincial government.
The new series of BC Jobs Start Here job fairs will come to 22 communities, beginning in January, to promote current job opportunities, career trends and skills training - with the addition of a new Skills4BC booth. The Osoyoos stop on the tour is scheduled for Feb. 14.
These new fairs are a continuation of the 24 events held in communities throughout B.C. between September and November 2012, where more than 31,000 British Columbians of all ages attended, from high school students to older workers looking to re-enter the workforce.
The 22 new fairs are expected to cost an additional $500,000, bringing the estimated total for the BC Jobs Start Here job fairs and mobile exhibit to $1.682 million.
“From public feedback, we know that British Columbians found the job fairs to be helpful in a number of ways: for connecting face-to-face with employers, for practicing interview skills, for finding out what jobs and skills are in demand, and for even learning more about B.C.'s economy,” said Pat Bell, minister of jobs and skills training. “Our government is excited to extend this opportunity to even more British Columbians in the months ahead."
A new 'Skills4BC' booth will be onsite at each job fair with staff to answer questions and share information on skills training in B.C.
Exhibitors at each fair will also include employers from a range of sectors, including post-secondary institutions, training authorities, industry associations and health authorities, as well as local WorkBC Employment Services Centres and the 'BC Jobs Start Here' mobile exhibit, which enables visitors to browse the BC Jobs Plan and WorkBC websites using iPads.
The 'BC Jobs Start Here' job fairs are free and open to anyone looking to connect with a local employer or find more information on skills training, career development and more.