Teens get glimpse of career options at YOUth POWER event
Jobseekers ages 15-24 explore education and work opportunities at Expo Centre
At most career fairs, you can’t update your resume, speak with employers and test your left hook in a boxing ring. At Tuesday’s YOUth POWER event, you could do all three.
The event, held at the Edmonton Expo Centre, attracted youth aged 14 to 25, who explored career and educational options while a DJ’s playlist boomed in the background.
Despite Edmonton having one of Canada’s highest unemployment rates (8.4 per cent in March), youth attending the event were able to meet face-to-face with businesses ready to hire.
Here are some of the jobseekers:
Name: Denim Keddy
Age: 17
Goal: Never had a job before and thought YOUth POWER would be a good opportunity to find one. He’s open to different types of jobs and was checking out retail and service booths.
Name: Leah Bailey
Age: 20
Goal: Checking out educational options as she looks for her next step. She’s graduating high school next month and said programs in social work, addictions and counselling were of interest.
Name: Justin Stepanow
Age: 17
Goal: Interested in finding a job where he can meet and interact with new people. He’s looking to gain workplace skills for the first time and has an interest in the grocery business.
Name: Lakeisha Buffalo
Age: 17
Goal: Improving her resume and finding a summer job. She came to YOUth POWER after seeing posters at school. One job opportunity that interested her was West Edmonton Mall’s water park.
Name: Devkaran Dhillon
Age: 19
Goal: Keeping busy during his summer break from studies at the University of Alberta. He’s interested in finding a customer service job that will allow him time to volunteer.
Name: Amber Chaba
Age: 19
Goal: Finding a second job, because she hasn’t been working many hours lately. She spoke with military recruiters at YOUth POWER because it’s a field she’s been considering for a while.