Hundreds of job seekers attend Windsor job fair

CTV Windsor: Hundreds attend job fair Windsor's unemployment rate is improving, but many people are still looking for work. Angelo Aversa reports.

The unemployment rate in Windsor might be improving, but there are still many people looking for work.

The signs were evident on Wednesday when 11 companies joined forces for a job fair at the St. Clair Centre for the Arts.

The businesses varied – from agriculture to manufacturing to the health care sector.

Hundreds of people attended. Some were students who had just graduated while others were looking for a career change.

Lead organizer Elise Marentette of HR Plus by Design was thrilled with the turnout. She tells CTV Windsor people “were lined up at the door this morning waiting for 11:00, so we’re pleased with the results.”

Caesars Windsor has over 30 positions available, mostly casual full time and part time jobs.

HR specialist Julie Pope says the job fair allows them to interact personally with applicants “to see how they fit with our team.”

The job fair also uncovered a new problem. Employers are having a hard time finding good, qualified employees.

Adriano Oppio, the vice president of Classic Tool and Die, says most companies can increase their output if they had the skilled trades to fill those gaps.

Oppio is hoping to hire up to 10 people, from machinists to tool and die makers to engineers and sales representatives.

Marentette notes since there are multiple job opportunities, people actually have some choice about where to work.

So she anticipates more employers will improve their image to become an employer of choice.