THUNDER BAY — As she prepares to graduate from the forestry technician ecosystem management program at Confederation College this spring, second year student Shailyn Arril is looking for what’s next.
Arril took advantage of the school’s annual career and job fair on Tuesday as she chatted with the Ministry of Natural Resources about a co-op position this summer.
“I would really love to get a job there in the future,” Arril said.
“I learned a lot from chatting with them, especially when it comes to what they are looking for, especially with basic knowledge that might not be on a resume. You might not think it’s necessary to say that you can back up a trailer or that you have a boater’s licence, but that’s important.”
Dan Stezenko, who is the supervisor of operations at Northwest Employment Works at Confederation College, said that around 2,500 people were expected to come to the school on Tuesday to visit the 72 booths that were set up around the building.
“Since we’ve been back after COVID, we find that the career fair is more important that ever because employers are in need of the skilled trades that our graduates have,” Stezenko said.
“It’s getting busier and busier here every year because of the changes we are seeing in the workplace.”
Doane Grant Thornton people and culture manager Rita Romeo said that the chance to chat with potential future employees is what she enjoys the most about the fair.
“It’s a busy day for everybody but this allows us to chat with students and college alumni to find out what their interests are, what they are looking for with their career, what opportunities we have here and answer any questions that they may have,” Romeo added.
“There’s a lot of amazing people here and we get to understand what they are aspiring for.”
