March 3, 2023
Manitoba Government Developing In-Person, Targeted Hiring Event to Connect Newcomers with Employers
The Manitoba government is inviting Manitobans to an in-person, targeted hiring event that will connect employment-ready newcomers to employers actively recruiting for current job openings, Economic Development, Investment and Trade Minister Jeff Wharton announced today.
“We have heard from Manitoba employers that their businesses are struggling due to pandemic-exacerbated labour market shortages and our government continues taking concrete action to help alleviate this challenge,” said Wharton. “We are pleased to lead the development of this in-person, targeted hiring event, which will adopt a whole-of-government approach to offer a one-stop venue that meets both job seeker and employer needs.”
The minister noted 1,312 job seekers have registered for the event, while 58 employers recruiting for over 1,300 have been confirmed as exhibitors. The expectation is that employers, recruiters and hiring managers will be able to offer on-the-spot interviews and potentially job offers during the event on March 7. Other supports, such as interpretation services, will also be available, added Wharton.
A working group comprised of Manitoba government representatives and key stakeholders from Economic Development Winnipeg, the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, Essential Skills Manitoba, Manitoba Start, and the Immigrant Centre are collaboratively planning the event, leveraging respective strengths to enhance its success.
The in-person event will build on the recently launched Work in Manitoba job portal and the Newcomer Employment Hub portal, using an innovative, one-stop website that efficiently connects job seekers and employers based on qualifications and labour market needs, noted the minister.
Employers can log in to both portals using the same credentials and then use one portal to post a job. The job will then show up on both portals automatically. Employers actively recruiting for current job openings and job seekers with relevant qualifications, skills and employment goals who are registered in either the Work in Manitoba job portal or Newcomer Employment Hub portal will be contacted directly with an invitation to the hiring event.
“According to a recent Winnipeg Chamber member survey, 71 per cent of respondents said staff shortages remain among the leading issues affecting business success. The Manitoba newcomer hiring event is one step forward in solving these labour issues through assisting newcomer Canadians find equitable economic opportunities,” said Loren Remillard, president and CEO, Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce. “Through our Newcomer Employment Hub, partnerships with service agencies and innovative hiring events like this, the Winnipeg Chamber is committed to economic prosperity for all.”
“As Winnipeg’s lead agency for economic development, Economic Development Winnipeg supports Manitoba employers in accessing the skilled workforce they need to grow and thrive while showcasing our province’s rich opportunity,” said Ryan Kuffner, vice-president, sales and business development, Economic Development Winnipeg. “Working with partners, we identify in-demand skills and critical talent pools, then create opportunities to connect with job seekers. As the administrators of the Work in Manitoba job portal, we are pleased that partner organizations supporting newcomers to our province are leveraging this innovative online platform to manage recruitment for their upcoming job fair and beyond.”
The hiring event represents another targeted action the Manitoba government has taken to accelerate post-pandemic recovery, grow the provincial economy, and promote positive outcomes as part of the Manitoba government’s Skills, Talent and Knowledge Strategy, Wharton added.
The targeted hiring event on March 7 will be held at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg.
More information can be found at https://www.gov.mb.ca/mbsupportsukraine/index.html.
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