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Job fair goes online during pandemic, which has created jobs in some sectors

A job fair being held by the London Economic Development Corp. will offer a virtual link between business and job seekers, as the COVID-19 pandemic is changing the traditional job fair.

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The search for workers has gone virtual.

A job fair being held by the London Economic Development Corp. will offer a virtual link between business and job seekers, as the COVID-19 pandemic is changing the traditional job fair.

The good news is that even in a pandemic, as businesses have closed and workers laid off, about 18 businesses and 17 agencies have registered to look for workers.

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In fact, employment agencies say there is demand in London and area for about 3,000 workers, down from the 4,400 prior to COVID-19.

“This allows companies to set up a virtual booth, like a normal trade show and invite job seekers to interact and have online interaction,” said Kapil Lakhotia, chief executive London Economic Development Corp., hosting the event.

“There are businesses that are growing and looking to recruit.”

More than 1,000 job seekers have registered for the fair. It will be held May 12, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.  Those looking for work can go to https://londonareaworks.vfairs.com/ Click on register, log in, and viewers will be taken to a virtual trade show where they can select a business.

“It goes against popular belief, but there are several sectors seeing growth now,” said Lakhotia.

Some of the businesses registering include Jones Packaging, Masco Canada, WeedMD, Voyago, London District Catholic school board and Hydra Dyne Technology, to name a few.

He cited food and beverage processing, transportation and logistics and health-care businesses among those all needing staff.

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Jones Packaging on Page Street is looking to hire about nine workers in its manufacturing area, making packaging that is now in demand, especially for the health-care sector.

“We always want to participate in job fairs to keep up our profile as an employer of choice, but we are excited about a virtual job fair. This may be the future of job fairs,” said Deborah Ward, vice-president human resources for the packaging business.

It has already hired 23 staff, about 15 of which are summer students, after doing virtual interviews.

“Virtual interviews went well. These jobs are for manufacturing, people we rely on day in and day out to get the work done,” said Ward.

Jones Packaging has about 300 workers, 200 in London and another 100 in a Brampton plant.

Deb Mountenay, executive director Elgin Middlesex Oxford workforce planning and development board, is not surprised to see some businesses wanting workers because the pandemic is creating demand in certain areas.

“We are now showing about 3,000 jobs open across the region, a lot of drivers and manufacturing looking for a specific skill-set,” she said.

There is growing demand for workers in the health care sector, she said.

“There are opportunities out there. If you are looking to switch careers, now may be a good time,” she said.


London and Area Works Virtual Job Fair

Log on:https://londonareaworks.vfairs.com/

Job seekers go to: Register, Log In. Then go to virtual trade show floor and select a “booth” of a company.

When: May 12, 2-6 p.m.

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