A large job fair inside the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne Park, showing hundreds of job seekers interacting with employer booths along long aisles.

World Skills 9th Annual Job Fair 2026 Connects Ottawa Employers and Newcomer Talent

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Registration_WSJF2026

On October 8, 2026, World Skills Employment Centre brought together 44 participating employers and more than 1,000 attendees, including employer representatives and job seekers, at its 9th Annual Job Fair. The 2026 Annual job fair in Ottawa, organized by World Skills Employment Centre took place at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne Park under the theme “Beyond Resilience: Shaping the Future of Work Together.” 

For job seekers, the fair offered a chance to speak with employers directly, ask about available roles, and explain the experience they could bring. For employers, it was an opportunity to meet internationally trained professionals whose capabilities may not be fully captured by a résumé. 

Understanding the changing Ottawa labor market 

In his keynote address, Ottawa Reality Check and 2027 Economic Forecast, James Baker, CEO and Co-Founder of Keynote Group, discussed the pressures reshaping Ottawa’s labour market and challenged the idea that the city is insulated from wider economic change.
For decades, Ottawa was considered recession-proof, with its large public sector helping cushion economic downturns. But that protection is fading. Between early 2025 and 2026, the city lost over 30,000 jobs as federal budget cuts, public-sector contraction and corporate belt-tightening took hold. Ottawa’s unemployment rate could approach 8% in 2027.

The keynote speaker raised a critical question: If unemployment is rising, why are employers still struggling to fill essential positions?
His answer was clear: Ottawa does not have a quantity problem; it has an alignment problem. While public administration and entry-level corporate roles face continued contraction, demand remains strong in key sectors:

  • Infrastructure and Skilled Trades: Ontario faces 22,000 unfilled construction vacancies, while Ottawa’s housing needs continue to grow.
  • Healthcare and Community Services: An aging population continues to drive demand across hospitals, long-term care and community health services.
  • High Tech, Defence and AI: Demand for specialized talent in AI infrastructure, cybersecurity and defence systems continues to grow.

His message was that the opportunity lies in connecting available talent with the skills employers need most—and helping employers recognize the talent already within reach.

The keynote speaker’s central message was that Ottawa’s challenge is not a lack of talent or opportunity, but a growing mismatch between the skills employers need and the talent available. As traditional sectors contract, demand continues in specialized fields.

He challenged employers to rethink traditional hiring practices, recognize transferable skills and value diverse experience. For job seekers, he emphasized the importance of staying adaptable, upgrading relevant skills, highlighting transferable experience and building direct connections with hiring decision-makers rather than relying solely on online applications or algorithms to validate their potential.

The path forward requires both sides to act: employers must broaden how they identify talent, while job seekers must take an active, strategic approach to navigating the changing labor market. Looking ahead to 2027, the address explored AI capabilities, adaptability, and the ability to work across functions. These were presented as keynote perspectives on how talent is identified, presented, and valued. 

Recognizing potential beyond the resume 

As job seekers use AI to refine applications and employers use technology to screen them, direct conversations remain valuable. They give candidates room to explain career transitions, demonstrate transferable skills, and discuss experience gained in another country.
The keynote highlighted three qualities for employers to consider: 

  • Cognitive adaptability: the ability to learn, adjust, and apply knowledge in changing situations. 
  • Technical mastery: relevant technical knowledge and job-specific skills. 
  • Problem-solving grit: persistence and resourcefulness when navigating challenges. 

Connecting Ottawa employers with newcomer talent

Throughout the fair, job seekers explored positions and learned more about recruitment expectations. Employers met candidates from diverse professional backgrounds and discussed skills that might be less visible through application screening alone. 

These exchanges created opportunities for professional connections and possible next steps. The fair offered a setting for employers and job seekers to learn about one another; hiring outcomes will need separate follow-up. 

Participant perspectives 

Feedback from employers and job seekers can help World Skills understand the value of these conversations and improve future events. 

“Participating in a World Skills Job Fair can be extremely beneficial, especially if employers are looking to attract talented individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures. It’s also a great opportunity to demonstrate and promote their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and building a multicultural workforce.”

Ottawa Health Research Institute

“We love connecting with newcomers. Some folks who stopped by last year were hired by the library. It feels good to know our attendance has a positive impact.”

Corinne de Réland, Ottawa Public Library

“Beyond these valuable connections, the event helped me identify the next steps in my professional journey. To continue in my field —taxation, accounting and compliance. I now have a clearer understanding of the need to develop skills aligned with Canadian practices and support them with recognized qualifications, such as the CPA designation or relevant certifications in auditing and finance. 

These conversations also highlighted how competitive Ottawa’s job market is in these sectors, as well as the importance of Canadian qualifications in helping employers recognize my experience and consider me for the roles I am pursuing. Finally, they reinforced an essential priority: significantly improving my professional English so that I can communicate my expertise effectively and engage more confidently with employers.”

– Participant of World Skills Job Fair 2026

Thank you to the people behind the fair 

World Skills thanks keynote speaker James Baker for sharing his insights on Ottawa’s economic outlook and the changing realities of work. 

We recognize Mengistab Tsegaye, Executive Director of World Skills, for his leadership and commitment to newcomer employment, and Gemma Follini, Employer Engagement and Career Fair Manager, for leading the event’s planning and coordination. 

We also thank the participating employers, partners, staff and volunteers who brought the fair to life, and every job seeker who attended and shared their experience. 

To view more images captured, please visit our Job Fair Gallery.

Partner with World Skills to Build Your Workforce 

Whether you’re hiring now or planning ahead, World Skills Employment Centre works with your timeline and recruitment needs. Partner with us to:

  • Access skilled, diverse talent matched to your roles.
  • Participate in our Annual Job Fair and targeted recruitment events to connect with prospective candidates.
  • Promote your employer brand through information sessions, coaching, and networking events.
  • Join corporate or gender-specific mentorship programs to strengthen an inclusive talent pipeline.

Let’s turn opportunity into impact. To discuss your hiring needs or explore opportunities to collaborate, contact our Employer Engagement Team at employer@ottawa-worldskills.org

About World Skills – Ottawa’s Leader on Newcomer Employment

World Skills Employment Centre is a non‑profit organization dedicated to meeting the employment needs of new Canadians and the local labour market. For over 25 years, World Skills has developed innovative programs to help immigrants build employability and create partnerships with employers

Core Programs and Services
  • Pre‑Employment Programs: Offer workshops on resume writing, interview skills and Canadian workplace culture.
  • Workplace Language Training: Provides sector-specific language instruction to help clients thrive in professional settings.
  • Employer Engagement Initiatives: Connects employers with job-ready newcomers and offers resources on inclusive hiring.
  • Corporate Mentorship Program: Pairs newcomers with local professionals to accelerate their integration and career advancement.

World Skills’ mission is to enhance the economic integration of immigrants by developing programs that increase their employability and by forming partnerships with employers and the community. Their experienced team speaks multiple languages and understands the challenges newcomers face. Each program is built on decades of expertise and is continually refined to meet the evolving needs of newcomers and employers.

Why This Matters – Call to Employers and Volunteers

Ottawa’s continued growth and prosperity depends on embracing newcomer talent. Employers who partner with World Skills gain access to a trained, motivated workforce and benefit from resources that make inclusive hiring seamless. Volunteers who contribute their time and expertise, whether by reviewing resumes, mentoring a newcomer or presenting at workshops—help individuals transition from potential to professional.

The 9th Annual World Skills Job Fair proved that collaboration yields results. Employers discovered talent they might have otherwise overlooked, and job seekers left feeling valued and connected. In a labour market facing demographic change, working with World Skills isn’t just altruistic—it’s strategic.

If you’re an employer interested in building a diverse and resilient workforce, learn more about World Skills’ Employer Engagement Program and sign up for the next job fair. If you’re a professional who wants to give back, explore opportunities to volunteer as a mentor or facilitator. Your involvement helps newcomers find their footing and enriches our community.

Growing Together

The 2026 World Skills Annual Job Fair celebrated resilience, opportunity and community. As we reflect on the success of the event and the stories shared by clients and employers, one message is clear: Ottawa thrives when newcomers are empowered to contribute. World Skills will continue to innovate, advocate and create spaces where talent and opportunity meet.
Stay tuned for updates on upcoming programs, success stories and ways you can support inclusive hiring. Together, we are building pathways for talent, innovation and community impact!

Ottawa World Skills