The BC Jobs Start Here job fair will be in Smithers on Monday, March 18 to connect job seekers with employers and share information on job opportunities, career trends, skills training and more.

Exhibitors at the fair will include employers from a variety of sectors, post-secondary institutions, industry associations, training authorities, as well as the interactive BC Jobs Start Here mobile exhibit, which allows visitors to browse the BC Jobs Plan and WorkBC websites using iPads.

A current list of scheduled exhibitors can be found at: www.bcjobsplan.ca/smithers-job-fair/.

There will also be a new skills-training booth dedicated to providing visitors with more information on skills training in B.C. The fair is open from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. and is located at:

Hudson Bay Lodge
3251 Hwy 16 East

Entry is free.

The job fairs are being organized as part of Canada Starts Here: the BC Jobs Plan, the Province's strategy for economic growth and job creation. The fairs are taking place in 23 communities throughout B.C. between Jan. 22 and March 28, 2013.

Quotes:

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

"The BC Jobs Start Here job fairs are, first and foremost, about connecting employers with people who want to work, so it's great to see so many employers signed up for the job fair in Smithers. The fairs are also about connecting people with the information they need on skills training, job trends and more - so they can take advantage of the opportunities available today and down the road."

Quick Facts:

• The BC Jobs Start Here job fairs will be held in a total of 47 communities at a cost of approximately $1.682 million, not including advertising.

• More than 31,000 British Columbians attended the job fairs held in fall 2012.

• By 2020, British Columbia will see more than one million job openings. Among the regions, the Northeast region is expected to have the highest growth of demand for workers at 1.7 per cent annually. This is followed by Mainland/Southwest (1.6 per cent) and North Coast and Nechako (1.3 per cent).

Learn More:

BC Jobs Start Here job fairs: www.bcjobsplan.ca/job-fairs/

WorkBC: www.workbc.ca

Contact:

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training
250 387-2799