P.E.I. job seekers 'try a trade' at career fair
Sarah MacMillan | CBC News | Posted: March 6, 2017 11:30 PM | Last Updated: March 6, 2017
Work PEI added hands-on booths to its job fairs this year
Job seekers who attended the Work PEI career fair in Montague, P.E.I., Monday had the opportunity to try their hand at some trade skills.
Booths introduced fair-goers to basics about electrical installations, robotics and electronics — part of an initiative by the province to get people interested in pursuing careers in the trades.
"It really just gives you a better idea of if that's a trade you'd be interested in going into," said Amber James, community engagement officer with Work PEI.
Targeting high school students
This is the third year the province has held a series of career fairs across the province, but the first time the fairs have included the hands-on "try a trade" booths.
The booths were added largely to target high school students who might be thinking about their post-graduation plans.
"Students really want to know, before they apply to a program in college and spend a bunch of money on tuition, and before they actually get there. It's like, 'is that really even something I can see myself doing?'" said James.
Students from Montague Regional High School were at the fair Monday, visiting booths as part of a class assignment.
After trying out some skills, Grade 10 student Tyson Hayter said he was most interested in electrical installations.
"In school I used to think it was kind of like, confusing. But now that I've actually got to speak to someone about it, I think it's more interesting," said Hayter.
Upcoming fairs
Work PEI is hosting three more career fairs across the province — March 8 in O'Leary, P.E.I., March 13 in Summerside, P.E.I., and March 15 in Charlottetown.
The upcoming fairs will also include "try a trade" booths.
- MORE P.E.I. NEWS I Trial for Sandra Tomalin, P.E.I. woman charged with animal cruelty held Monday
- MORE P.E.I. NEWS I Senators trade for minor-leaguer Brandon Gormley