'I see a lot of chances here': Job fair held for newcomers to Saskatchewan
Newcomers in Saskatoon are being given a chance to start their new life in Canada by applying for jobs thanks to a career fair at Prairieland, and it came out of a need as the province faces the largest mass refugee arrival in recent history.
Khrystyna Didyk arrived just one week ago, on the fourth charter plane carrying Ukrainians displaced by the Russian invasion.
“It’s hard. It’s really hard to live there now. It’s starting to be more harder and harder and when I come to Canada, I feel myself more free,” Didyk told CTV News.
She attended a job fair in Saskatoon and with a psychology degree she completed right before the war started, she’s thankful for the opportunity this event is providing her. She admits she is considering any entry-level job even if it’s not in her field.
“It helps me think what I can do. I see a lot of chances here,” she said.
She’s living in a hotel right now, but says, getting a job will allow her to afford her own place and get on her feet.
The job fair is organized by the provincial government, and it’s never been done on this scale in Saskatoon before.
“We thought it was a good opportunity with the displaced Ukrainians coming in on flights to get everybody together to help, displaced Ukrainians, but also other newcomers, who might be looking for work in the province,” Chad Vickers, Director of Employer Services, with the Saskatchewan Government told CTV News.
In an email to CTV News, Sam Sasse, Communications Consultant for Ministries of Trade and Export Development, Energy and Resources as well as Immigration and Career Training confirmed that this influx of newcomer Ukrainians is much higher than past mass arrivals with more than 2500 calling Saskatchewan home since March. In comparison, Saskatchewan received approximately 800 Afghan refugees since 2021 and 1,700 Syrian refugees since 2015.
Having the job fair now is a win-win given the current struggle employers face finding staff.
“We’ve got pretty good representation from a number of different sectors. Lots of construction companies, manufacturing and healthcare, and hospitality. Whatever your skill set, you’ll probably be able to find an employer,” Vickers says.
Prairie Meats hired a newcomer Ukrainian recently and she’s helping out at their table as an interpreter. It’s proving to be beneficial for this business.
“The interest level has been great and some of the qualifications that people are coming with is pretty impressive,” Joanne Ubell, Prairie Meats, Human Resources Manager told CTV News.
Ubell hopes to hire about 20 people as a result of the job fair.
Once the fifth charter plane of Ukrainians arrives in the spring, another similar job fair is likely. It will continue to help fill the need for employers and employees like Didyk, who’s hoping this is the start of a new beginning in a new home.
“Here I have a lot of opportunity to grow up and it’s just a good place to be here now. I feel myself safe.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.