The City of Calgary’s Youth Employment Centre is gearing up for its 25th annual Youth Hiring Fair on March 28.
The event, held at the Big Four building at Stampede Park, features more than 80 employers who are actively seeking young employees. Individuals aged 15-24 are encouraged to attend the fair between 1:30 and 6 p.m.
The fair will feature a diverse range of industries, including hospitality, food services, retail sales, customer service, social support services, recreation, financial services, sports, and entertainment.
“We like to make sure that we are tapping into a variety of employers,” said Leita Blasetti, spokesperson for the Youth Employment Center.
“If youth are curious, they can look at our website and see the minimum age that the employers hire.”
YEC encourages youth to prepare for the fair by dropping by the center and meeting with an employment expert to receive resume feedback and interview preparation.
“We do know that the youth unemployment rate is usually about double that for the general unemployment rate,” said Blasetti
“Coming to meet with a counsellor ahead of time so that they can really sell the skills that they have, and make a plan to be intentional when they come to the fair is going to really help a youth stand out with that competition that might be at the fair.”
Youth unemployment rate climbing in Alberta
According to the Alberta economic dashboard, the unemployment rate for young Albertans aged 15 to 24 stood at 14.9 per cent in February, showing a 3.3 per cent increase from the same month in 2023.
The fair has increased the number of available interview spots, so youth should be ready for potential on-the-spot interviews, said Blasetti.
This year’s fair also includes an area for parents and natural supports with seating and resources to help assist their youth and young adults.
“Not all employers will be accepting resumes. They are all hiring, but some may prefer candidates to apply online later,” said Blasetti
“It’s an opportunity for youth to still get seen by different employers.”
Mayor Jyoti Gondek said the fair plays a vital role in connecting youth with employment opportunities.
“As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Youth Hiring Fair, we recognize the vital role it plays in connecting our city’s talented youth with high-quality employment opportunities,” the mayor said in a prepared news release.
“For 25 years, this event has been a catalyst of growth and opportunity for teens and young adults, providing them with a platform to meet employers and obtain meaningful employment.”
The Youth Hiring Fair typically sees around 5,000 young Calgarians attend annually.
