PEIPrince Edward Island’s tourism industry association held its second job fair of the year in Cavendish on Saturday. North Shore Tourism Job Fair brought out more people than in years past, says tourism associationGwyneth Egan · CBC News · Posted: Apr 06, 2025 12:07 PM EDT | Last Updated: 10 hours agoMore than 170 people came through the doors at Green Gables Heritage Place in Cavendish for the North Shore Tourism Job Fair. (Connor Lamont/CBC)There was a strong turnout Saturday for the Tourism Industry Association of P.E.I.’s second job fair of the year in Cavendish.The North Shore Tourism Job Fair featured 15 employers with more than 100 positions available, said Alex MacKenzie, the association’s workforce development officer.”This year’s been really strong,” MacKenzie said, adding that the tourism industry association is happy to see a growing crowd at the event. In past years, the turnout ranged from 115 to 125 people, but this year more than 170 people came through the doors at Green Gables Heritage Place for the job fair, he said. “We’re really excited to be doing this for tourism operators in this area of the province,” MacKenzie said. What employers are looking for Some of the employers participating in the job fair said the hiring process can be challenging. ‘I always hire people that are going to fit in really well and that have that positive energy,” says Denise Fleming, the owner of the Lost Anchor Restaurant. (Connor Lamont/CBC)”As a restaurant owner, especially a seasonal one, we’re constantly looking for new staff. It’s like opening a restaurant every single season,” said Denise Fleming, the owner of the Lost Anchor Restaurant. Fleming said her goal with the job fair this year was to hire more kitchen staff, including dishwashers, prep cooks and line cooks.’As a restaurant owner, especially a seasonal one, we’re constantly looking for new staff,’ says Fleming. (Connor Lamont/CBC)When it comes to adding more staff, she said she knows what she’s looking for.”I always hire people that are going to fit in really well and that have that positive energy,” she said. “You can train anybody to do anything, but the energy is really what I’m always hiring off of.”‘This made it really easy’For Ashton Bradley — a Grade 10 student at Mount Academy — the job fair was a good opportunity to meet employers and apply for jobs in person. Ashton Bradley, a Grade 10 student, attended a job fair for the first time. (Connor Lamont/CBC)”It’s a little challenging trying to do it over the phone and trying to do it online,” he said. “This made it really easy, so I’m glad I came.” Before Saturday, Bradley had never been to a job fair before. He said he was trying to think of what he would say to employers as he was driving to the event, but realized “it’s a lot easier once you get out here.”The employers were friendly and inviting, Bradley said, adding that he was happy to make connections with the people and businesses he’s hoping to work for. ABOUT THE AUTHORGwyneth Egan is a digital writer at CBC Prince Edward Island. She is a graduate of Carleton University’s master of journalism program and previously interned with White Coat, Black Art. You can reach her at gwyneth.egan1@cbc.caWith files from Connor Lamont
Strong turnout for tourism job fair in Cavendish
