Hundreds attend Thursday’s job fair at the Leisureplex

James Maloney is in need of a change when it comes to what he does for work.

The 54-year-old Fort Erie resident was one of hundreds of people who attended the Job Gym’s Community Employment and Resource Fair on Thursday at the Leisureplex, an event that brought out 35 businesses and organizations looking to fill positions.

He was a social worker for 15 years, serving that role most recently at the Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre as an alcohol and drug counsellor.

“I’m looking for something a little simpler,” he told Fort Erie Radio, wearing a suit jacket and tie, something he said was important in making a good first impression while meeting with representatives from the various companies and groups who were recruiting employees.

“I’ve gone to a few places where they said to give them a call and set up an interview,” something he was very pleased with, he said.

Barbican, a local company that has been in operation for 33 years as a manufacturer of architectural products, was one of the many Fort Erie-based operations who had a kiosk at the job fair.

Human resources specialist Jenny Pillay-Berger said the turnout, which involved lineups at most tables when Fort Erie Radio attended at about 2:30 p.m., was “amazing.”

She has attended other Job Gym events in the past, but Thursday’s had “10 times more people,” she told Fort Erie Radio.

With its two sites in town, its manufacturing plant at Wintemute Street and Central Avenue, and its shipping and receiving facility on Phipps Street, Barbican currently employs 65 people.

Since December, the company has hired eight people, filling spots that open up at a “fast and furious” rate, said Pillay-Berger.

Myles Brett is the food and beverage manager at the Buffalo Canoe Club, a private facility in Crystal Beach that employs 130 people in the summer season.

He was accepting resumes for food and beverage positions, building and grounds, as well as for employees who handle boat launches and junior activities.

Many students were showing interest in these positions, but several adults were inquiring as well.

“This is really for anyone that’s looking for a job,” Brett told Fort Erie Radio.

He also agreed the amount of people who were there a half an hour into the event was incredible.

“I’m really surprised by the amount of resumes,” he said.

Amanda Channon, employment specialist with Job Gym, a division of the John Howard Society of Niagara, said job fairs such as the one on Thursday are usually well attended.

“I think this is a good mix of people looking for work, and some looking for career changes,” she told Fort Erie Radio.

While there were employers from outside of Greater Fort Erie, such as Brock University, Great Wolf Lodge, and Sherkston Shores, local companies were given the first offer to participate.

“We really put a focus on trying to make sure there’s a good representation of the Fort Erie business community,” said Channon.

Jay Gemmell, executive director of the John Howard Society of Niagara, said the event brings things back “old school,” involving looking at someone face to face and shaking their hand, as opposed to meeting virtually on a computer.

“There’s still an appetite for that on both the employer’s and client’s side,” he said.

The event was held in partnership with the Town of Fort Erie and sponsored by Little Red Coffee.

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