Many job seekers were on hand to sell themselves to potential employers at a job fair in Ottawa, Thursday, April 2, 2009.
Two-thousand job seekers packed a job fair at the Nepean Sportsplex in Ottawa, Thursday, April 2, 2009. |
Tech job fair attracts 2,000 job seekers
Updated: Thu Apr. 02 2009 4:51:11 PM
ctvottawa.ca
An annual technology job fair in the capital attracted 2,000 potential employees, who hunted for a greater sense of job security while facing the reality of a faltering economy.
"It's not easy being over 50 and unemployed unexpectedly," said Dawn Desplanque, a former Nortel employee who lost her job after 18 years with the company.
Those who attended the job fair explored potential opportunities with 55 different employers, which varied from start-up firms, large hi-tech companies, security agencies and the RCMP.
"There are a lot of opportunities in other types of industries for tech workers, and that's what this event is all about," said Fred Nesrallah, who helped organize the ITO 2.0 job fair.
Despite long lines, many job seekers told CTV Ottawa lengthy waits were worth the possibility of landing a job.
"I'm still going for hi-tech. That's where my experience is, my skills lie, but I'm open to almost anything at this point," said former Mitel employee Marsha MacGowan.
Organizers say this year's event attracted twice as many people as it usually does.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Joanne Schnurr
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