Top Employers Participate in Local Career Fair Attracting Thousands of Eager Job Seekers from Across Windsor-Essex

WINDSOR-ESSEX, ONT. (Sept. 11, 2024) – Invest WindsorEssex (IWE) in partnership with the Windsor Regional Employment Network, WETechAlliance and Workforce WindsorEssex hosted the Windsor-Essex Career Fair at the WFCU Centre. The career fair was supported through the Government of Canada and Employment Ontario.

The event was free to attend and included participation from over 35 top regional employers across all industry sectors including NextStar Energy, Nature Fresh Farms, Seasons Retirement Communities and AAR Aircraft Services Windsor. Thousands of job seekers attended the career fair ranging in experience and skill level from recent graduates to seasoned professionals looking for new opportunities. Participating employers met with potential hires and held on site interviews to fill positions with immediate start dates.

With billions of dollars in recent investment across Windsor-Essex and available job postings on the rise, it is now more important than ever to have a strategy and tools in place to ensure an adequate and sustainable workforce not only to accommodate emerging supply chains but also to ensure existing companies have the required talent to operate at full capacity.

The Windsor-Essex Career Fair is part of the regional strategy to promote workforce development and talent attraction in Windsor-Essex. In addition to hosting local career fairs, this strategy includes a dedicated talent attraction specialist to coordinate regional talent attraction efforts together with a targeted marketing campaign promoting career opportunities and highlighting Windsor-Essex as a desirable location to work and live.

IWE, together with community partners, will continue to drive initiatives that will support and ensure companies have the talent they need to build their workforces and that individuals have the opportunity to contribute to the growing economy in Windsor-Essex.

“Bringing together thousands of job seekers and top regional employers, the Windsor-Essex Career Fair exemplifies our commitment to fostering local talent and driving economic growth. As Windsor-Essex continues to thrive with new investments and expanding industries, events like these are crucial in matching the right talent with emerging opportunities and ensuring our workforce is ready to meet the demands of the future.”

– Joe Goncalves, Interim CEO and Vice President Investment Attraction & Strategic Initiatives, Invest WindsorEssex

The Windsor-Essex Career Fair is a testament to the power of collaboration in building a dynamic and inclusive workforce. At the Windsor Regional Employment Network, we are committed to creating pathways that connect job seekers with meaningful employment opportunities. This event is a pivotal part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that businesses in our region have access to the exceptional talent they need to thrive. Together with our partners, we are proud to support initiatives that not only drive economic growth but also enrich the lives of individuals and families across Windsor-Essex.

– Tanya Antoniw, Executive Director, Employment and Social Services, City of Windsor

“Talent is the driving force behind any region’s economic success, and as we continue to work to diversify our economy, the tech sector remains a critical part of the equation. Windsor-Essex’s tech job growth has surpassed the national average by 3%, with a projected growth rate of 8.6% over the next five years, according to the recent State of Tech Report released by Workforce WindsorEssex in March 2024. This was evident at the recent career fair, where several tech job opportunities were presented, along with over 50 active listings on our regional tech job board. While challenges remain, it’s clear that the tech economy is becoming an increasingly significant piece of our region’s economic landscape.”

– Yvonne Pilon, President & CEO, WETechAlliance

“The Windsor-Essex Career Fair is all about opportunity—giving jobseekers direct access to employers who are ready to hire and providing businesses the skilled workforce they need to succeed. It’s a win-win for both jobseekers and employers, as we continue to build a region where people can grow their careers and contribute to a thriving community. Workforce WindsorEssex is proud to support initiatives that open doors for our workforce and help local talent achieve their potential.”

– Justin Falconer, CEO, Workforce WindsorEssex