Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
Peace River is set to welcome back its popular Job Fair, set to take place at Riverdrive Mall in downtown Peace River on Sept. 24.
“The Peace River Job Fair is being organized in conjunction with the Peace River Chamber of Commerce,” says Event Coordinator Brandon Dous. “I am one of three Event Coordinators, along with Gayle Walton and Kaye Tice. Businesses should take part because it is the Premier Job Fair for the town of Peace River. Where else can you get your business in front of hundreds of people who are hungrily looking for a job?”
Dous says the deadline for businesses to register a table is Sept. 18, so he urges folks to get their registrations in soon.
“The first year we held the Job fair we were overwhelmed with more tables than we could accommodate,” he says. “But we have leveled off in the past couple years and have a consistent 25 to 30 businesses per year. One thing that’s important to note is that Energy Alberta will have a booth at this year’s event advertising potential jobs they might have available if the nuclear power plant goes through.”
Dous says any businesses looking to highlight available positions, people looking for jobs, or employment counsellors are all welcome to attend the fair.
“It’s a busy event, and an excellent chance to talk to actual companies that are there and are looking for employees,” he notes. “You have the opportunity to get in front of the actual people who can help you find employment, rather than submitting your resume online, or just dropping it off at a business hoping someone will get it.”
The event will be held from 4 pm until 7 pm, and Dous says there will be a little bit for every interest group. Regardless of what type of job you’re looking for, he says there will likely be an employer at the fair showcasing a business that will appeal to you.
“The need for this really arose because we were hearing from a lot of businesses about their struggles finding staff,” Dous explains. “They would complain that they would advertise and get maybe one or two resumes. Businesses at the Job fair often walk away with a dozen or more resumes from employees that are genuinely looking for employment.”
Dous says it takes a lot of gumption to stand in front of a potential employer and pitch your resume and explain why you would be a good fit for their company.
“The people who come looking for employment are serious job hunters with the goal of finding employment,” Dous says. “Last year we had over 230 job seekers. It really is an important event that helps with the economic viability of the town.”
Dous says there is still room for interested businesses to register, and the large mall space allows for expansion if need be.
“People can come and within an hour, talk to employers and apply for hundreds of available jobs,” he says. “We have workers stationed at the mall doors handing out pamphlets listing the companies in attendance, so it’s a quick and efficient event.”
Dous says closer to the event date their team will be releasing the list of businesses that have registered for tables so people can tailor their resumes to certain companies they may want to apply to.
For more information, please reach out to Brandon Dous at 780-835-0707 or , or the Peace River Chamber of commerce at 780-624-4166. Dous says to follow the Peace River Chamber Face- book page for updates.