Job seekers in Vancouver will connect with local employers and be able to get information on skills training and career development during the largest and last 'BC Jobs Start Here' job fair.

Since Sept. 18, the 'BC Jobs Start Here' job fairs have taken place in 24 communities throughout the province. While a final total will not be available until mid-December, it's estimated more than 25,000 British Columbians have attended the job fairs, with many attendees and exhibitors indicating a desire to see the fairs become a recurring event in B.C.

More than 280 exhibitors participated in the fairs, including employers from a range of sectors, post-secondary institutions, training authorities, industry associations and health authorities, as well as local Work BC Employment Centres.

In addition, the 'BC Jobs Start Here' mobile exhibit, which travelled throughout B.C. this summer, has been onsite with iPads, enabling visitors to browse the BC Jobs Plan and WorkBC websites. This allows job seekers to access information on skills training, employment services, job banks, career development and more.

The job fairs were organized as part of the BC Jobs Plan, which promotes economic development and job growth throughout B.C. Together, the 'BC Jobs Start Here' job fairs and mobile exhibit cost approximately $1.182 million.

Quotes:

Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour Pat Bell -

"Through the BC Jobs Plan, our government is supporting the economic growth that is creating jobs and fuelling a demand for skilled employees. With the 'BC Jobs Start Here' job fairs, our government is excited to connect companies with qualified employees and show job seekers that B.C. jobs can and do start here."

Minister of State for Small Business Naomi Yamamoto -

"These job fairs have presented a great opportunity - not just an opportunity for employers and job seekers to connect face to face (as rare as that is in a digital world) - but the opportunity for someone, no matter what stage of their career, to embark on a new path, armed with the information they need on skills training and career development in B.C."

Quick Facts:

• Over the next ten years, B.C. will see over one million job openings as a result of continued retirements and the job creation associated with economic growth.
• The 'BC Jobs Start Here' job fairs took place in:

• Abbotsford
• Burnaby
• Burns Lake
• Chilliwack
• Coquitlam
• Courtenay/Comox
• Cranbrook
• Fort St. John
• Gibsons
• Kamloops
• Kelowna
• Maple Ridge
• Nanaimo
• Penticton
• Port Alberni
• Prince George
• Richmond
• Salmon Arm
• Squamish
• Surrey
• Terrace
• Vancouver
• Victoria
• Williams Lake

• The Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour currently offers seven online tools: WorkBC, Job Trend Tracker, Career Explorers, Career Pathfinder, Career Trek BC, Build a Career, and Boss Yourself BC.

Learn More:

'BC Jobs Start Here' job fairs: www.bcjobsplan.ca

Contact:

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training
250 356-8177