Busloads of high school students from all around Southern Saskatchewan are converging on Regina’s exhibition grounds for the 10th Annual Stepping Stones job fair.
It is aimed primarily at aboriginal students, giving them a feel for what kind of careers are out there, what employers are looking for and what sort of help is available to help them achieve their career goals or post-secondary training.
Everything from the University of Regina, to police, to potash and construction have set up booths providing information and encouragement for the students.
Lorne Carrier is an employment officer for the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council. His job is to hook graduates up with jobs, and he takes the role very seriously.
“We don’t just send them out to get a job, we make sure their home situation is alright, we look at all the different barriers,” he said.
“Getting to work on time, you miss two days, I’m going to be knocking on your door. And we do that – we go and say, ‘how come you are not at work, what’s the problem? How can we help?’”
K + S Potash also has a booth. It is big advocate of aboriginal hiring, with about 350 aboriginals on staff.
The company’s lead for First Nations and Metis Initiatives, Terry Bird, has some advice for prospective employees.
Bird says when you are competing for jobs and you get an interview he advises to be prepared, be confident and sell yourself.
“Don’t be scared to walk up to these booths, to these organizations. Let them know who you are,” he said. “I think it’s very important to aboriginal people to know they have to sell themselves. Too often they give us a resume and they’re just too quiet.”
Casheri Keewatin, one the students checking out the booths, said she is a keener about school and is confident in her career hunt.
“Because I have a good education, I’m young, I’m bright, I have a good personality and I work well with people,” she said.
Jordan Cyr is from the Gordons First Nation. He graduated high school about four years ago and has held a number of jobs but is still looking for the right fit.
“That’s exactly right, you know what they say, if you find something you love doing you will never have to work a day in your life,” he said.
The Stepping Stones Career Fair was formed more than 10 years ago by a group of volunteers in partnership with local tribal councils. Their mission is to provide aboriginal students with the opportunity to explore career paths while continuing them in education necessary to succeed.