Zainab Al-Mehdar

Campbells Bay Oct. 19, 2021 

For the first time ever, The Carrefour jeunesse-emploi du Pontiac (CJEP) organized and held a Virtual Job Fair on Oct.19. The CJEP’s mandate is around improving people’s lives by helping community members find a job, getting them involved in youth entrepreneurship and helping people develop financial skills. Director General Karim El Kerch said the goal for this event was to create more opportunities for job seekers and connect them to potential employers. 

The event was held on a virtual platform with additional local venues to meet the needs of community members who did not have access to the internet. Venues included Campbell’s Bay, Shawville and Chapeau which provided computers and a stable internet connection with support from the Carrefour jeunesse-emploi du Pontiac team. To make the event even more accessible, the organizers offered transportation to interested job seekers. The job fair took place from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

There were at least 17 different employers offering over 100 jobs and 75 people attended. At least 44 students visited the fair and learned about  youth programs offered in the region and participated in job search workshops offered by councillors at CJEP. “I’m happy to have these results, for me, it’s perfect for the first edition,” said El Kerch who felt the turnout and involvement in the virtual job fair was better than what he expected. 

According to the press release, the organizers look forward to holding another similar event next year. Some of the partners include Pontiac Ouest se Branche in l’Isle-aux-Allumettes, Les Maisons des jeunes du Pontiac and Pontiac High School in Shawville.