Over 3,000 post-secondary students and recent graduates were seeking connections and opportunities at the Partnerships for Employment (P4E) job fair on September 25, a collaborative effort that involves Conestoga and three local universities. Waterloo's RIM Park Sportsplex played host to the bi-annual event, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and also attracted over 175 leading employers.
Over 3,000 post-secondary students and recent graduates were making connections at the 30th anniversary P4E job fair.
Conestoga works with Wilfrid Laurier University, the University of Waterloo and the University of Guelph to form a partnership that makes P4E the largest job fair of its kind in the country. The fair is open exclusively to students and graduates of the partner institutions, with fairs taking place each September and February.
"For 30 years and counting, the P4E job fair has played an important role in connecting employers with students and graduates who have the strong technical skills and creativity to make a difference in today's highly competitive, rapidly changing business environment," said Alice Michaud, associate director, Talent Development and Career Services.
"At Conestoga, we value the opportunity that the fair provides to showcase our students and graduates, and the role it plays in allowing them to succeed in the job market."
Melissa McNown-Smith, a Career Services manager at the college, elaborated on the resources available to ensure that students are set-up to succeed at the fair, where students need to be able to quickly make a positive impression.
"We offer services and resources that include workshops, individual advising appointments, and an online self-directed module to guide students in understanding the purpose of the job fair, what preparation to do beforehand, and how they can present themselves professionally to make a positive impression on employers," said McNown-Smith.
The P4E job fair has assisted thousands of students in landing jobs over the years, with employers recruiting for both full-time career opportunities and co-op roles. Joy Oyeniyi, a post-graduate Information Technology Business Analysis student, was in attendance and looking to stand out among candidates.
"The P4E job fair provided an excellent opportunity to connect with hiring professionals from leading Canadian companies across various industries, offering valuable insights and networking opportunities that I feel will be pivotal in advancing my career," said Oyeniyi.
Transportation to the event was provided for Conestoga students from different campus locations, including Guelph, Waterloo, Milton and Brantford. The event is also an important date on the calendar for employers due to the quality and quantity of students that the fair showcases.
"The P4E job fair is a must-attend event for Brock Solutions," said Shayne Gray, an HR recruiter with Brock Solutions.
"We're always impressed with the high volume of quality students we're able to connect with in one day, with Conestoga well-known for delivering career-ready candidates who come highly prepared and knowledgeable. With the recruitment world being so busy, the P4E career fair provides an optimal avenue for Brock to promote career opportunities efficiently and effectively to students from some of Ontario's top schools."
To celebrate and commemorate 30 years of helping launch careers and connecting post-secondary students and graduates with employers in the local job market, the P4E job fair was a proud recipient of a certificate of commendation from the Prime Minister's Office.
According to the 2022-23 Key Performance Indicators (KPI) data released by Colleges Ontario, 90 per cent of Conestoga graduates were able to find employment within six months of graduation, with more than 92 per cent of employers being "very satisfied" with Conestoga graduates.
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