With the County’s labour shortage still looming large, the Haliburton County Home Builders’ Association (HCHBA) is hosting a job fair at Haliburton Highlands Secondary School to try and drive would-be workers towards a career in the trades and other underserviced sectors.
The event is taking place at the school May 8, providing an opportunity for employers to connect with youth about current and future opportunities.
Aggie Tose, past president of HCHBA, is the lead organizer. She noted this will be the first job fair the organization has hosted since 2019, when 32 businesses participated. The organization assisted with another event at the school in 2022.
“In the past, we had a great response from the students, especially with the companies that had interactive exhibits. Some of the students were ready with resumes in-hand and that was really helpful,” Tose said. “A number of students obtained summer employment.”
She said most employers will be looking for seasonal help over the summer, with others hiring for part-time and full-time positions.
While there will be trades-based operations in attendance, Tose said the job fair is open to all County businesses.
“We would like to include as many businesses as possible from across Haliburton County,” she said, noting anyone who wants to sign up as a vendor should do so by April 30.
The event will take place in the school’s cafeteria, though Tose said there will be space outdoors for participants who want to bring larger tools or equipment to showcase or stage an activity. It will run from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tose noted the job fair is free to everyone, including participating businesses, visitors, and students.
Staff from Fleming Crew will be available to assist students in building a resume and filling out applications.
“We’re hoping we can help students find jobs, co-op placements, volunteer work, and encourage them to look at their future career opportunities,” Tose said.
For more information, or to book your spot at the fair, contact Tose at 705-457-6901 or info@hchba.ca.
