SASKATCHEWAN TO ATTEND NATIONAL JOB FAIR IN TORONTO

The Government of Saskatchewan is partnering with Saskatchewan employers headed to Toronto to recruit more than 500 employees at The National Job Fair in Toronto April 4-5, 2012. Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration Minister Rob Norris is leading the mission following a successful mission to Ireland in early March led by Premier Brad Wall.

"The pace of our economic growth and low unemployment rate has created a demand for a skilled and professional workforce that we need to fill," Enterprise Minister Jeremy Harrison said. "With ongoing multi-billion dollar projects in mining, oil and gas, construction, manufacturing and other economic sectors, we are telling people across Canada that Saskatchewan is the best place to live, work and do business."

Harrison will be represented by Norris, who will join 26 Saskatchewan-based employers and organizations. The Saskatchewan Zone - a partnership of Enterprise Saskatchewan, Regina Regional Opportunities Commission (RROC) and Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA) - will be a high profile area for skilled workers to explore the opportunities presented by Saskatchewan's labour force needs.

"When it seemed many doors were closing at home in Ontario the opportunities before me in Saskatchewan were unending from the pristine outdoors, caring communities, vibrant business sector, opportunities for entrepreneurs and just being one great place to raise a family," Canadian Home Builders Association - Saskatchewan President and CEO Alan Thomarat, who moved from Ontario 28 years ago for his career said. "Those of us in Saskatchewan still hold that the best is yet to come."

Thomarat and the Canadian Home Builders Association are also attending the job fair.

The Government of Saskatchewan has developed a three-pronged approach to meet the province's labour market needs," Norris said. "This strategy includes record investments in Saskatchewan's post-secondary education and skills training with significant support for First Nations and Métis peoples, inviting back our ex-pats from around the country, and welcoming new comers from across the country and around the world. Saskatchewan is facing a talent challenge - over the next five to seven years the province will need 75,000 to 90,000 skilled workers, and we recognize the important part the National Job Fair plays in assisting with our mandate."

Supporting recruitment efforts by the private sector will prepare the province to meet the labour demands of $100 billion in capital investment projects that have been signed off and will be rolled out over the next 10 years.

The National Job Fair is celebrating its 10th Anniversary in 2012. An average of more than 10,000 candidates attend the fair, and more than 200 booths are set up by companies seeking potential employees.

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For more information, contact:

Tim Tororey
Enterprise Saskatchewan
Regina
Phone: 306-798-9906
Email: tim.tororey@enterprisesask.ca