Job Fair links youth with potential employers

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More than 500 Aboriginal post-secondary students from across Saskatchewan gathered at the Centennial Auditorium in Saskatoon Feb. 1, as the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) hosted its first Corporate Circle Job Fair. The circle is comprised of a number of businesses from the province working to increase Aboriginal employment opportunities in Saskatchewan.

Some of the province's biggest employers were involved in the job fair, organized to demonstate the kind of a future Saskatchewan has to offer.

The job fair featured a workshop on career training, with information on developing a resume, finding a job, and preparing for an interview. A trade show was also held, with more than 60 employers taking part, giving students the opportunity to network with employers about career and job opportunities. It also gave students a chance to fill out application forms and hand out resumes in the hopes of receiving a call for an interview.

During opening ceremonies, many of the speakers stressed the importance of Aboriginal participation in the workforce, and why employers need to recognize the growing Aboriginal population.

"The future is now, not tomorrow," Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief George Lafond told the students. Lafond explained what it was like to be a young leader and to understand the needs of young people.

"It is our responsibility as leaders to help create opportunities for the youth, and this is one of your first opportunities to find employment and eventually find a career in Saskatchewan's job market."

FSIN Chief and Corporate Circle co-chair Perry Bellegarde also was on hand.

"We always wonder why there is only 11 per cent of First Nations people employed in the workforce when the average age of young people is 17. Why are First Nations youth not getting the jobs?" Bellegarde said.

"In 2045, 40 per cent of Saskatchewan's population will be Aboriginal, which is why we must all work together to create jobs and educate our young people. When we partner up, everyone wins in the end."

Bellegarde finished his speech by saying, "When our young people become educated and experienced in careers, our social problems will go down, our crime rates, incarceration rates, and unemployment rates will all go down. Today it begins, our mission for the future, our mission for the people." Also present during the opening ceremonies were Saskatoon Mayor Jim Madden, and Corporate Circle co-chair Mark Olson. The Wanuskewin Drum Group finished off the ceremonies with the 'find a job' song geared towards the students in attendance.

Organizers of the event such as Rob Merasty were confident that many of the students would find part-time and full-time work after attending the job fair.

"The whole reason behind this is to create jobs for our young people. We want to provide entry level positions in whatever field they're interested in," explained Merasty, who is also executive director of the Corporate Circle.

"This proves we have been working towards our initiatives in the Corporate Circle, and proves that partnerships can work to create a brighter future for our people in Saskatchewan."

Brian Smith, a student from the University of Regina, found the job fair to be very helpful in his job search, considering he will be looking for full-time work in the summer.

"I handed out some resumes, and met some employers and also talked to other people who were very helpful. It was a great opportunity for me to get in there and promote my skills. I look forward to next year's job fair as well," Smith said.

Many of the employers that participated in the job fair will be hiring in the next five months, and are looking for post secondary students to fill positions and begin career training.

For more information on the FSIN's Corporate Circle, check out their new website at www.corporatecircle.ca.