Hub Staff
Southampton Town Hall was host to the 9th annual Saugeen Shores Job Fair on Saturday afternoon, February 20.
A total of 15 booths were registered for the day in the hopes of finding full time and part time staff, volunteers as well as presenting entrepreneur and business opportunities.
“We have some continuous learning opportunities as well as vpi (inc.), they’re the sponsor for today,” said Nikki Barker, Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce, organizers of the event.
In addition to sponsoring the event, vpi inc. were onsite offering information regarding employer funding and employment opportunities through their employment programs.
Patrick Checknita of the Business Enterprise Centre was there talking about, among other things, Summer Company, a program to help young people who want to start up a summer business before returning to secondary or post secondary school in the Fall.
“We set them up, we help them with their business plan, $1,500 start up,” said Checknita. “We help them all through the course of the summer running their business, they keep all the profits and if they... meet all the obligations... there’s a bonus of $1,500 as well at the end.”
The program is funded by the province and is available for returning students ages 15 to 29.
Heather Lorenz from the Town of Saugeen Shores was on-site looking to fill summer student positions as well as a part time Facilities Manager position that was part of 2016 budget restructuring.
Roberto’s, Boston Pizza and Saugeen Golf were all on hand hoping to find some summer staff.
“We have 70 to 80 employees and there’s always turnover obviously because we’re seasonal work,” said Jeff Myatt, Saugeen Golf. He added that in a typical season 90 percent of his staff will return but each year he is on the look-out to fill positions for the remaining 10 percent.
Carey Optical was looking to fill an Optical Assistant, Office Administrator position. Conor Kelemen, a current staff member at Carey Optical, said that in addition to someone who’s proficient in Microsoft programs, their ideal candidate would also have retail experience and would work with a doctor one day per week.
Ann Veyvara-Divinski, Operations Manager and Volunteer Co-ordinator at PRANCE (Pegasus Riding Association Nurturing Challenged Equestrians) was there to build community connections as well as gather resumes for volunteer positions and summer camp staff. She said that volunteering helped her find employment when she first moved to the area. “Volunteer somewhere and make it like a job,” said Veyvara-Divinski, adding that she offers her volunteers a reference letter after 20 hours of service. “I have written probably a dozen references so far, for all sorts of things, people looking to work in social services or something like that.”
