Invest WindsorEssex/Media Release
WINDSOR-ESSEX, ONT. (Sept. 11, 2024) – Invest WindsorEssex (IWE) in partnership with the Windsor Regional Employment Network, WEtech Alliance 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.
Quotes
“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, WEtech Alliance
“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
About Invest WindsorEssex (IWE)
Invest WindsorEssex is the lead economic development agency for the Windsor-Essex region. The focus of the organization is to develop and execute strategies to retain, expand, attract and help new businesses start-up in Windsor-Essex. Invest WindsorEssex is led by a board of distinguished community leaders. A team of professional staff provides assistance with location and investment decisions by working one-on-one with businesses to facilitate the process of starting, growing or locating a business in Windsor-Essex. InvestWindsorEssex.com
About Windsor Regional Employment Network
Windsor Regional Employment Network (WREN) is the Service System Manager for Employment Ontario in Windsor-Essex, Chatham-Kent and Sarnia-Lambton. Led by the Corporation of the City of Windsor and their partner Workforce WindsorEssex, the WREN oversees and supports a wide range of employment programs and services for job seekers, employers and community partners.
Vision: Our vision is a vibrant, inclusive labour market in Windsor-Essex, Chatham-Kent, and Sarnia-Lambton, where individuals thrive in fulfilling careers, and employers access exceptional talent to drive innovation and growth.
Mission: We partner with the community to develop a responsive, sustainable labour market system that meets the needs of job seekers, employers, and partners. We invest in our network to provide comprehensive resources that boost the capacity of our partners, creating opportunities for everyone to achieve their career aspirations and contribute to economic growth. Windsor Regional Employment Network | City of Windsor (citywindsor.ca)
About WEtech Alliance
WEtech Alliance is one of seventeen Regional Innovation Centres, funded by the Province of Ontario. We’re a non-profit organization, serving the Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent regions, that provides entrepreneurs and companies with business services, training, IP and commercialization support, mentorship and strategic connections to help bring new ideas to market, scale to the next level and build a dynamic culture and a community of innovation.
WEtech Alliance has served as the catalyst for technology and innovation in the Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent regions since 2011. Learn more at www.wetech-alliance.com.
About Workforce WindsorEssex
Workforce WindsorEssex is a workforce and community development board whose mission is to lead regional employment and community planning for the development of a strong and sustainable workforce. Workforce WindsorEssex is an experienced leader in the development of regional labour market tools, research, guides, and events that create positive change in the local labour market while saving others time and effort. These resources, created in close coordination with employment, education, and industry partners, are designed to help jobseekers, employers, students, and educators, as well as the community, make more informed labour market decisions using locally-responsive, data-rich, and unbiased resources. To learn more about Workforce WindsorEssex and view our tools and resources, visit www.workforcewindsoressex.com.
À propos de Workforce WindsorEssex
Workforce WindsorEssex est une organisation à but non-lucratif dont sa mission est de diriger la planification de l’emploi et le développement communautaire avec l’objectif d’assurer une main-d’œuvre solide et durable. Workforce WindsorEssex est leader expérimenté dans le développement d’outils, de recherches, de guides et d’événements sur le marché du travail créant des changements positifs qui font gagner de l’argent et du temps. Ces ressources, crées en coordination avec les partenaires en emploi, en éducation et en industrie, ont pour but d’aider les demandeurs d’emploi, les employeurs, les élèves, les éducateurs, et la communauté, à prendre des décisions plus informées sur le marché du travail en utilisant des outils impartiaux, riches en données et adaptés aux besoins locaux. Pour apprendre d’avantage de Workforce WindsorEssex, et pour engager avec nos outils et ressources, visitez www.workforcewindsoressex.com.
Media Contact
Gina Meret-Dybenko
Director, Marketing and Communications
Invest WindsorEssex
Mobile: 519-791-6223
Email: gmeret@investwindsoressex.com