Summer jobs out there for youth
It’s a hiring fair just for young adults ages 15 to 24. Today Calgary youths will have a crack at jobs at more than 15 types of industries and more than 81 companies when the City of Calgary youth employment centre holds its 14th summer hiring fair.
In its first year, the event hosted 500 youths. Last year 5,200 youths attended, of which at least 500 found jobs.
“It’s a great, focused opportunity for youth. Every exhibitor is hiring,” said Leita Blasetti, community relations liaison for the centre.
“We hope to see another 5,000 youth walk through the doors and be successful at getting employment. We also hope that employers will be getting the workers they need,” Blasetti said.
Calgary recycling company Cascades Recovery Inc. is back again this year, said Tanu Dasgupta.
“The Youth Employment Centre helps our company speed up the hiring process,” Dasgupta said.
The Youth Employment Centre provides school and career advice, resume writing help, job fair information, some industry training (such as safety issues) and job interview training. There is a computer lab and all services are free.
“The hardest thing to do is to get youth to practise face-to-face job interviews,” Blasetti said. “They’re embarrassed to role play. Yet how they present themselves to us is how they will present themselves to their employers.”
This year, Human Resources and Skill Development Canada closed its seasonal Service Canada Centres for Youth.
“Youth across the country have told us they want to access more government services online, including help with job searches and resume writing, ” said Alyson Queen, director of communications for Human Resources and Skills Development Minister Diane Finley. “In response, we are expanding www.youth.gc.ca with new resources to help youth find employment.”
Blasetti, who thinks it’s more useful to help young adults in person, suggests anyone interested in attending the summer hiring fair should polish his resume and come “dressed for success.”
The summer hiring fair will run from 1:30 to 6 p.m. at the Big Four Building at Stampede Park.