Job fair helps link employers and job seekers

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The participants, attendees and organizers of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) Corporate Circle Job Fair were expressing their satisfaction long before the Feb. 7 event even ended. Little wonder, considering that even as the fair's spokespeople were presenting their appreciative speeches in the spacious lower level of Saskatoon's Centennial Auditorium, hundreds of job seekers were milling about the room interacting with prospective employers from dozens of Saskatchewan's biggest organizations.

"This is our second Corporate Job Fair, and each is better than the last," said Mark Olson of Rawlco Radio, one of the major sponsors of the yearly event. "This is a meaningful effort than has a meaningful result on employment. Over 90 jobs were created as a direct result of last year's fair."

"I'm really pleased and honoured to be here tonight," said Saskatoon Mayor Jim Maddin, on hand to show his support for the event and for Aboriginal employment initiatives in general. "This event allows over 1,000 students to connect with potential employers. With the changing demographics of the city and the province, getting more First Nations and Aboriginal people in the workforce is very important."

"The fact that so few First Nations and Aboriginal people are in the workforce, it's not representative of the population. It needs to change," noted FSIN Vice-Chief Greg Ahenakew. "It's so very important that we begin to create better socio-economic conditions for our people. The idea of the job fair is to be proactive, to bring employers and our people together."

Such a union is obviously beneficial and welcomed by all. At booth after booth, corporate representatives expressed similar sentiments on the attractiveness and worth of the First Nations workforce - regardless of one's race, regardless of one's heritage, regardless of one's beliefs, a good employee is good employee.

"Look at the talent we have in this room, and in this province," said Lyle Daniels of the FSIN, who acted as the master of ceremonies for the event.

"Take that first step, make contact with employers," urged FSIN Corporate Circle executive director Robert Merasty of all Aboriginal job seekers.

Michael Paquette of Saskatoon was but one of many attendees taking that first step, though as a job seeker his thoughts were not on broad issues of First Nations development, but rather on more practical and personal matters.

"I'm just looking for an employer that will give me a chance," said Paquette, "and hopefully for a career that I can stay at and enjoy for years to come."

Designed first and foremost for the job seekers themselves, this year's fair offered participants a number of workshops in addition to the opportunity to interact with business leaders. The workshops provided information on entrepreneurship, the changing labour market, and skills development.

The job fair is a partnership effort hosted by the FSIN Corporate Circle, Saskatoon Tribal Council Urban First Nation Services, Saskatoon Aboriginal Employment & Opportunities Inc., Saskatchewan Regional Economic Development Association and University of Saskatchewan. Rawlco Radio, SaskTel, Indian & Northern Affairs Canada and the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority are also instrumental in staging the event through their roles as sponsors.