Hiring fair coming to Kamloops this spring

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March 23, 2015 - 7:29 PM

KAMLOOPS - Hundreds of job seekers are expected to attend the bi-annual hiring fair scheduled for mid-April and with layoff notices continuing in the area that number could jump even more.

“In the past few years we have seen thousands of job seekers attend our Kamloops hiring fairs to connect with employers and service providers,” fair organizer Kevin Watt says in a release. “The success has stretched so far that we have had employers from Vancouver, Edmonton and even Minnesota attend the event. Word has spread that Kamloops has a diverse, skilled talent pool of job seekers and our employers want to capitalize on the opportunity to connect with them”

The event, presented by Open Door Group and the Kamloops Employment Service Network, will take place on April 14 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Interior Savings Centre.

While some employers have been known to hire people on the spot, they often will talk about hiring practices, provide resume tips, review cover letters and offer job interview advice.

So far more than 30 employers have signed on for the spring fair. Among the big names planning to attend are Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project, Domtar, Arrow Transportation, Sun Peaks Resort, Gateway Casinos and Tolko, along with retailers and restaurants like Sears, The Keg and Tim Hortons. Service providers and educational groups will also be on hand.

Organizers recommend that job seekers arrive prepared to talk with employers.

“This means well-dressed, resume in hand, and ready to talk about their skills and abilities” Watt says.

Following layoffs in January Northern Horizon Logistics announced another round of layoffs this week. Target is in the midst of store closing sales and is expected to shut down in the coming months while Arclin announced it would be completely shutting down Kamloops operations by early summer.

Other layoffs have also been reported in the resource sector as the oil industry continues to struggle.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Jennifer Stahn at jstahn@infonews.ca or call 250-819-3723. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

— This story was updated at 10:06 a.m., March 26, 2015, with minor corrections from the Open Door Group.