Yesterday (May 29), Airdrie youth descended on the Boys and Girls Club with the hopes of entering the work force.

"This is our third annual youth job fair," said Cheryl Cresine, Manager of Youth Education and Employment Services, "Every year we seem to increase in our numbers. Last year our numbers were at 123."

The youth job fair, a joint venture between the Boys and Girls Club and Rocky View Employment Services, saw 330 job seekers between the ages of 14 and 24 come through and visit booths from a number of employers and service providers. Cresine expected many would end up employed.

"I would say forty to fifty percent are gonna find jobs. We have a lot of youth that come in here with already prepared résumés, which, we did résumé writing workshops with them."

The Boys and Girls Club and Rocky View Employment Services see the job fair as one piece of their work to help youth build job skills and find employment. Both organizations run workshops on all parts of the hiring process, from writing cover letters and résumés to interview prep.

Cresine said the job fair has multiple benefits for young people looking for their first job.

"I think the importance of an event like today is that it not only gives youth the opportunity to build their confidence and their life skills, but it also gives them the opportunity to see the types of jobs that are out there in the community."

Questions, comments or story ideas? Email us at news@discoverairdrie.com