British Columbia is expecting to experience over a million job openings this decade and new immigrants are anticipated to fill one third of those positions.
These projections may be contributing to a record 50 employers signing on to participate in MOSAIC’s Annual Job Fair on April 8th, making it one of the largest job fairs in the province. MOSAIC, specialists in employment services for immigrants and lead operator of the Vancouver Northeast WorkBC Employment Services Centre, is uniquely qualified to attract a diverse range of candidates and has been staging job fairs for the past two years.
Companies who will be recruiting represent a gamut of industries and services, from hi-tech and finance to healthcare, hospitality and retail. Even the City of Vancouver and the police department are represented at the fair. In attendance for the first time will also be the skills and trades sector, with 16 organizations looking to fill positions ranging from welders and glaziers to engineers and estimators. Job postings call for apprentices and journeymen through to supervisors, managers and directors.
Larry Chan, Senior Manager of Employment Programs for MOSAIC, said: “Last year, over 3000 job seekers came to our fair. This year, we have nearly double the number of employers and the range of jobs and the industries available is very impressive. Many companies are looking for multiple hires in various positions and we’re encouraging all our employment clients to attend. We’re expecting a big turnout”.
Fortinet Technologies has a recruitment team onsite each year. Fiona Ho, HR Generalist, likes the MOSAIC Job Fair because it attracts international talent and candidates generally come well prepared. She said there are currently over 40 active, full-time positions at the Vancouver R&D Headquarters that they are hoping to fill.
The publicly-traded, market-leading global providers of network security products are looking for engineers such as embedded software developers and web developers, and they are offering competitive salaries with benefits.
Ho has stern advice for job seekers coming to the fair. “Bring your resume. Be prepared. Be interested in the company vs. focusing on the job you’re interested in. And when you’re asked “what are you looking for?” don’t say “I just want a job”. We already know it – that’s why you’re here.”
Mosaic’s 3RD ANNUAL JOB & TRADES FAIR is on Tuesday, April 8 from 10 am-4 pm at the Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Drive in Vancouver. The Job Fair is open to all job seekers, and admission is free!
MOSAIC is a non-profit organization and the primary settlement and employment services agency in Vancouver assisting immigrants in Canada. MOSAIC is also lead operator for WorkBC Employment Services for Vancouver Northeast.
Poster and article courtesy of MOSAIC press release, 20 March 2014.