Skip to content

Success for Parksville Qualicum Beach job seekers

Thirty local employers were at the hiring fair last week
37508parksvilleWEBhiringfair2-cw-may5
Parksville Tim Hortons general manager Jean Forrest accepts a resume from Taylor Whitley

Fifteen-year-old Hannah Droog left Wednesday afternoon's hiring fair with a job interview.

The Grade 10 Ballenas student was one of many who came to the Parksville Community and Conference Centre to feel out the local labour market April 30.

"I got more than I bargained for," said Droog, smiling ear to ear about the interview she landed with Pacific Shores Resort and Spa. "I'm really happy I came and didn't expect to line up an interview."

The 2014 Spring Hiring Fair saw hundreds of people come to the PCCC seeking work — including a bus load of students from PASS/Woodwinds, Ballenas and Kwalicum Secondary School, many of whom dressed business casual for the event.

According to Lori Koop, operations manager at The Career Centre, 30 employers rented tables at the venue which saw many local business people come out in an effort to recruit  employees.

"This year there seems to be a big focus on youth," said Koop, adding the hiring fair is a good opportunity for young people to come out and meet potential future employers face to face.

"It is so cool to see an employer talking with the right person for a job," she said. "It's really great to see a match that fits."

Luke Oulette, Ballenas career co ordinator, said he was thrilled about the event.

"This type of thing is really important because it bring realism to what we are teaching in school," said Oulette. "When a student hands me a resume (for a school assignment) it looks completely different than one he or she hands to a potential employer."