Employment fair connects newcomers to Canada with potential jobs and resources

Muhammed Ahmad didn't waste any time getting started looking for a job after arriving in Canada.

Days after landing in Calgary from Pakistan through the Federal Skilled Workers Program, Ahmad was at the BMO Centre on Saturday for the fourth annual Newcomers Canada Career Fair.

With a background in human resources, Ahmad said he understands job searching can be difficult in Alberta right now.

"I'm expecting to start from scratch," he said.

"I'm not expecting that I'll get some high job immediately because I need to be in the system."

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Erin Flynn owns and runs Newcomers Canada, which hosted the event offering a one-stop shop for resources and jobs. But with Alberta's unemployment rate at 8.5 per cent, she says the focus is shifting to education.

"When the economy changes like that we have different things we can offer," said Flynn.

"So we're maybe not full of employers this year but we're full of universities or colleges or, other settlement organizations that can all help with that, so it doesn't matter what the economy is doing, there are organizations to help with settlement and career."

Luckily for Ahmed, it didn't take long to find a job that piqued his interest.

"It says here human resources technology and finance I have done my masters back home in finance," he said.

Several employment fairs held in recent weeks in Calgary have attracted big crowds and Flynn said one of the most important things for all job seekers is to keep a positive attitude and not get discouraged.

"Everybody you talk to helps," she said.

"One exhibitor might be able to fill in, 'go see that booth,' or 'talk to that person,' it all helps to put it together," she said.

"The more people you talk to the easier it's going to get."

Similar events are planned in Toronto and Ottawa later this month and in November.

Newcomers Canada plan to hold another career fair in Calgary in the spring.