Regina’s Agribition building was the land of opportunity for Aboriginal job seekers today. More than 100 booths from dozens of companies and organizations were set up to encourage prospects to get trained, and get working.
This is the second year for the All Nations Career Fair. Among the participants was K+S Potash, which is setting up a mine just northwest of Regina. Terry Bird is the First Nations business and labour co-ordinator for the company. He says there is lots of opportunity:
“For a First Nations and Metis person, the times are changing. The market itself, here in Saskatchewan, we realize there is a boom — and there are some challenges with the boom with regards to developing a labour force. And there’s an honest recognition from different companies that the First Nations and Metis people are going to help fill that gap.”
The File Hills Employment and Training Centre also had a booth at the All Nations job fair. Manager Joan Bellegarde is helping youth get passionate about their career choice:
“Your career should be interest-based. It should be something that you really like to do, and it should be a joy to go to work if you’re connected with what you like to do.”
TradeUp Saskatchewan also launched its new website at the job fair. It encourages youth to enter a trade rather than enter a university.