Advanced Education and Skills
April 29, 2015

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills:

Partnering with Employers in Newfoundland and Labrador on Job Recruitment

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight job fairs - one of the many services available through the Provincial Government’s employment centres.

Serving communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, these people-focused resource centres provide important employment services connecting job seekers to employers. Resume writing, career planning, skills development and training are just some of the services available at employment centres in our province. At these centres, individuals can work one-on-one with staff and employers can obtain assistance with recruitment and retention. Job fairs are one tool used at the centres to bridge the gap between employers and job seekers. These fairs are typically held for a number of reasons – often to promote particular careers or to respond to large-scale industry changes.

As an example, the Provincial Government recently partnered with Shoppers Drug Mart to organize a job fair and recruit locally. The job fair took place in March at the Regatta Plaza Employment Centre in St. John’s and over 50 individuals attended. Pre-screening of job applicants and basic interviews were held on-site. Those individuals who passed the pre-screening and basic interview processes were given formal interviews. Following the fair, some of the individuals were hired. The employer was very pleased with the turnout and stated to employment centre staff that the centre was the ‘perfect atmosphere’ for their job fair.

Mr. Speaker, we took a similar approach last year and offered employment services for those workers impacted by the closures of the Sykes Call Centre in Corner Brook and Terra Nova Shoes in Harbour Grace. An employee and skills assessment inventory was developed to help match employee needs to the services offered through the Department of Advanced Education and Skills. The data collected through the inventory was then used to tailor a job fair for the displaced workers, as well as to identify retraining opportunities with regional education and training institutions and potential new employers in these areas.

The Provincial Government continues to assist employers and individuals when they are making important employment and career-related decisions. By matching employers to workers and people to jobs, we are helping Newfoundlanders and Labradorians find meaningful employment in our province so they can work and raise their families right here at home.

Thank you.

2015 04 29                              2:45 p.m.