Plenty of people searching for jobs at the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre, Wednesday afternoon. Photo by Sam Franks
By Sam Franks
BELLEVILLE – Hundreds of job seekers flooded the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre Wednesday afternoon with a mix of emotions.
The “Work in Quinte” job fair is the result of a partnership between Belleville and Quinte West.
Over 60 employers were present with more than 1,000 jobs available.
Among those looking for work was Alicia, who asked that her last name not be used.
“I moved from Ottawa, then moved into [the area], so I’ve been looking for four months,” Alicia said.
She has submitted over 200 resumes, but received very few call-backs. Her resume has a wide range of employment history and qualifications for many available jobs.
“It kinda makes me want to give up because I’ve been looking for four months. When I was in Ottawa I had a good job, like I worked at Mercedes Benz so it’s decent there, and moving here, I look, and I look, and I look, and it seems pointless because you can’t find anything,” explained Alicia when asked how her job searching makes her feel.
She wasn’t the only one with that experience.
Lots of summer graduating students found themselves looking to enter the workforce in their respective fields.
Many of these students like Jackson Kehoe are starting to feel the pressure with upcoming loans due.
“I would prefer a job in my field but I have to prioritize. I have my first round of payments coming up in November so it means I may have to settle for not what I want, but I have to make a living,” Kehoe said.
Kehoe graduated from Fleming College and has hopes of becoming an electrician.
Kehoe is stressed and anxious about finding a job to pay the bills, but remains optimistic.
“A lot of people are looking for people with experience or over a certain age for insurance purposes, and it sucks, but you just got to move forward,” told Jackson.
Many of the companies at the job fair accepted applications and conducted interviews.
People could also access an employment centre to help with interview skills, resume building, and even professional attire.
According to the labour market report from Ontario, the unemployment rate in Belleville increased by around 3,900 people from January to February of this year.
In one year, Belleville lost 23,000 jobs, according to the report.
Another recent graduate, Taysean Edwards, is also looking for work within his field but open to other options.
“I think it’s just really good for me to get out there, get out of my comfort zone and look for a job, especially I would be able to contribute to society in my own way,” Edwards said.
With not much luck receiving call-backs Edwards is furthering his job search beyond his skilled trade.
“I don’t take it personally; I’ll just keep searching and just preserver.” Edwards said hopeful.
Edwards attended the event with his friend Clayton Curtis who is also starting to feel the different emotions when searching for a job.
“I’ve applied to many jobs but haven’t heard anything back,” Curtis explains.
He has applied to 20 different jobs with no call-backs or interviews.
“It doesn’t make me feel great. It kinda puts me down a little bit but you just have to get back up and keep trying,” said Curtis.
Some people were laid-off or became unemployed from their previous employer and wanted to check out the job fair.
Jeff Clarke was a full-time employee who lost his position when the company closed, and has been on the job search since.
He has received very few phone calls or interviews.
“Perhaps the competition is quite tough – that’s my guess, and there’s certainly a lot of people here today so that’s nice to see, but then again, they’re looking for the same jobs. I hear the unemployment rate is getting a bit higher,” explains Clarke.
“Well, it’s a little frustrating and I’m hoping that perhaps the roulette wheel will land on my name sooner than later. But, yeah in a few more months I’ll be a little – let’s say desperate,” Clarke said.
Clarke remains optimistic in his job search as he has experience and plenty of qualifications.
Joe Goegan was excited to apply to jobs.
“It’s exciting. I haven’t done this in 20-years so it’s just exciting – something new,” Goegan said.
Goegan was recently left unemployed after layoffs at his previous employer. Goegan explained that since he is older, more experienced, and didn’t leave the company on bad terms, he wanted to take the summer off.
“Oh my god, it was definitely – you lose a sense of purpose. But it was good to take the time off – like I said to reflect, and get settled and look for work again,” Goegan said when asked about his initial reaction to losing his job.
Goegan was one of many job-seekers who ended up doing an interview at the job fair. He’s one among many who were there who are hoping to find a job soon.
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