Organizers of a job fair held in Chatham this week say the event was a huge success.
Chatham-Kent Employment and Social Services Program Manager Matt Keech told CK News Today the job fair held at the Bradley Convention Centre in Chatham on Wednesday afternoon attracted 1,400 job seekers.
Keech said that number surpassed the 900 who attended a large job fair in the Fall of 2023.
Keech said more than 80 employers were at the job fair recruiting students and part-time and full-time workers.
He noted the municipality is trying to get prepared for the nearly 3,000 jobs required until 2031 due to CK's population growth and another 11,150 jobs to replace retirements during the next six years.
"Initial feedback from employers is that they were thrilled with the event and were very happy with the quality of job seekers coming through the door," said Keech. "Hearing from job seekers, they were really happy with the diverse amount of opportunities."
The job fair also connected students to apprenticeship opportunities and others with volunteer opportunities.