World Skills 7th Annual Job Fair: Seizing Ottawa's Global Talent

On September 25th, 2024, World Skills hosted its 7th Annual Job Fair, bringing together 40 employers and 824 job seekers in search of career opportunities in Ottawa. This event provided internationally trained professionals, who now call Ottawa home, the chance to connect with a diverse range of local employers eager to fill vacancies and enrich their workforce. Under the event’s slogan, “Seize the Day!”, the fair invited all participants to embrace the potential of Ottawa’s global talent.

Opening Remarks

The Job Fair was officially opened by Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, who praised World Skills for their invaluable role in supporting over 4,000 newcomers each year, helping them navigate the complexities of both settlement and employment in Canada. World Skills is dedicated to providing newcomers with the tools they need to succeed in the Canadian job market, offering job search strategies, labour market insights, and employer connections.

In addition, Mengistab Tsegaye, Executive Director of World Skills, and James Baker, CEO of Keynote Search, helped launch the event. For the second year in a row, James Baker shared his expertise on today’s labour market, addressing challenges such as the wave of retirements and how newcomers offer a crucial solution through their vast experience, expertise, and education. Looking ahead, he offered an optimistic outlook for 2025, hoping for a recovery in the labour market as unemployment peaks and begins to decline.

Contributors To The World Skills Mission

Gemma Follini, Manager of Employer Engagement at World Skills, served as the MC and was the driving force behind this successful event. She led a dedicated team of over 25 World Skills staff who worked tirelessly to ensure every aspect of the event—from setup to registration, coat-check, coffee station, lunches, media coverage, and teardown—ran smoothly. The staff’s commitment reflects the ongoing mission of World Skills to support both newcomers and employers in building a stronger, more inclusive workforce.

While the Annual Job Fair is a major highlight, World Skills hosts employer events year-round, organizing anywhere from 30 to 60 events annually. These events provide employers with direct access to internationally trained professionals who are eager to contribute their skills and experience to Canada’s workforce.

The True Stars of The Job Fair?

Our employer partners and the hundreds of enthusiastic newcomers who once again demonstrated the value they bring to the Canadian workforce. It is events like these that remind us of the importance of creating opportunities for internationally trained professionals to showcase their skills, engage in meaningful interactions, and access employment that reflects their qualifications. The benefits of this go beyond individual success—it enriches our communities and strengthens the Canadian economy.

A special thank-you goes to Fred De Bois, venue manager at the Horticulture Building in Lansdowne Park, for making this City of Ottawa venue such a welcoming space for our event. We also extend our gratitude to Nutrition Blocs for providing a delicious lunch for the employers and World Skills staff.

Lastly, to our employer partners, we thank you for your continued support and trust. Your engagement is essential to our work, and it helps us advance our vision of “An inclusive Canada that values the skills and talents of new Canadians.”