The province started a series of traveling job fairs this week, but it won’t be appearing in Penticton until late November.
The ‘B.C. Jobs Start Here’ job fairs will travel to 24 communities throughout the province, connecting job seekers face-to-face with potential employers according to B.C. Premier Christy Clark. Exhibitors at each fair will include select employers from a range of sectors, as well as post-secondary institutions, industry associations, training authorities, and the health authorities.
Penticton can expect a visit from the road show on Nov. 20. An interactive mobile exhibit, which toured the province this summer, will also be on hand to provide information about skills training, employment services, job banks and career development tools.
Statistics Canada’s most recent jobs numbers show a growth of 51,700 jobs between August 2011 and August 2012, putting B.C. in first place for job growth in Canada.
“Across B.C., new investment has been creating new jobs, so the demand for skilled employees is strong and will only get stronger,” said Pat Bell, minister of jobs, tourism and skills training. Government estimates indicate that over the next decade, there will be over one million job openings in B.C., including more than 350,000 new jobs, which will result in a shortage of skilled labour — particularly in the trades.
“As more and more investment comes to our province, the number of opportunities for British Columbians continues to grow,” said Moira Stilwell, minister of social development. “Job fairs can connect British Columbians with those opportunities, putting them face-to-face with potential employers.”
The Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training currently offers seven online tools: WorkBC, Job Trend Tracker, Career Explorers, Career Pathfinder, Career Trek B.C., Build a Career and Boss Yourself B.C.