1,500 Job Seekers Gather at Lethbridge Career Fair Despite Tariff Concerns

Lethbridge Job Fair Highlights

Seventy-five different employers participated in the annual Teamworks Career Fair held at the Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre. About 1,500 job seekers, eager for new opportunities, attended the event on Wednesday.

Job Opportunities Across Various Fields

The fair showcased jobs in numerous sectors, including construction, manufacturing, accounting, and more. Barb Wolstoncroft, manager at the Teamworks Career Centre, noted, “We have over **1,500 job seekers... our goal is to connect local job seekers with local employers and get people employed.”

The Value of Face-to-Face Interaction

Despite the increasing prevalence of online job applications, employers still recognize the importance of job fairs. Recruiters value the opportunity to meet applicants face-to-face, allowing them to understand candidates better. Hailly McCallum, a human resources manager at Nortera, expressed, “We absolutely love coming out to job fairs. It’s really good to get out in the community.”

Concerns Over Tariffs

While plenty of jobs were available, concerns about the impact of tariffs loomed. Lethbridge is expected to be more affected by prolonged tariffs compared to other cities. Wolstoncroft stated, “We are concerned about those tariffs and their effect on the local community and our local employers... but we are working tremendously hard to connect employers with job seekers.”

Optimism Amid Uncertainty

Despite the uncertainties, job seekers remained hopeful. The variety of employers present gave many a sense of optimism about securing employment. Gita Kaura, a job seeker, shared, “Right now, my biggest concern is just providing for my family however I can.” Teamworks not only hosts this annual fair but also assists in connecting job seekers with employers throughout the year.