As Quesnel moves past the closure of their Canfor sawmill, efforts are mounting to get displaced employees into other jobs.
Last week, several small businesses got a visit from economic development officials from the region and also a couple of provincial cabinet ministers, all gathering input on how Quesnel should move forward.
This week, a job fair is being held with a slate of guest companies looking for employees, hoping to find matches in Quesnel. More than 40 employers will attend the Spring Ahead Job Fair on Thursday.
According to event co-organizer Michael Furminger, there is a heavy Prince George component as the northernmost Cariboo city attempts to help its sibling to the south.
"Prince George-based companies committed to attend include: Geo Tech Drilling, Sinclar Group, Norweld, KDL and Maple Leaf Loading," he listed. "Other major employers will include Taseko Mines, the RCMP, the Canadian Armed Forces and several banks. The range of employers attending the job fair shows that the effects of the northern boom that Prince George is enjoying are reaching further south."
Training and education providers will include UNBC and the Prince George-based branch of the Skilled Trades Employment Program (an initiative of the BC Construction Association).
"Core Recruitment, a Prince George recruitment agency, will offer two free workshops entitled Successful Job Searching: Cover Letter, Resume and Interview Tips," Furminger said.
Quesnel mayor Mary Sjostrom said the job fair and business input walk were only part of the solution package in response to the mill closure, but they were also worthwhile endeavours for all sectors of the Cariboo economy.
"I was so pleased with the optimism of our business community and thanks again for speaking openly about doing business in Quesnel," she said, following the two days of visits last week. "We have certainly identified some gaps, in particular youth employment, and we look forward to working through those with our partners and local business. Congratulations on the great positive attitude."
Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes, the provinces Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, and Naomi Yamamoto, the Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business, also took the business tour and will use the exercise for local help but also to improve the provincial context.
"There are economic bright spots for our region and I'm thrilled I had the chance to both listen to and discuss opportunities with local entrepreneurs," said Oakes. "We heard firsthand what they'd like to see our community and the province do to help create opportunities for growth."
Yamamoto said, "This was a good opportunity to speak directly with small business owners
in Quesnel. I understand some of the concerns they raised and we will be following up directly with them. But I also heard a lot of optimism about opportunities for growth. We want small businesses in Quesnel to thrive because when small business thrives, so do our communities."
Now that dialogue becomes one-on-one between people looking jobs and businesses looking for employees. The Spring Ahead Job Fair in Quesnel happens at the Quesnel Seniors' Centre, (461 Carson Ave.) between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and is open to everyone.
The event is organized in partnership with B.C.'s Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation, Quesnel Community and Economic Development Corporation, City of Quesnel, WorkBC, School District 28, and Community Futures North Cariboo.
