Local job seekers test NB employment waters at job fair

More and more often New Brunswickers are finding employment outside of their home province.

For many that’s not ideal, but it is reality.

“More opportunities for employment,” said Kyle Simmons of what other provinces have to offer a soon to graduate student. “Honestly that’s the only reason why I would want to leave.”

Simmons was one of approximately 300 job seekers who attended the Canada Jobs job fair in Fredericton on Thursday.

He says while ideally he’d like to find a career in New Brunswick, he accepts the possibility of having to look elsewhere.

“If more jobs would be available for people here I’d probably stay,” Simmons said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "If more jobs would be available for people here I'd probably stay," Simmons said.

Simmons isn’t alone as many job seekers are leaving the province in droves.

However, others hitting the job fair were hoping to buck the trend.

“I love this province,” said Christina Larsson. “I don’t want to go so if I can find a way to stay here that’s what I’ll do.”

“I love New Brunswick and if I could never, ever leave that would be my best bet.”

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While the provincial government has pledged to create jobs in the future it’s obvious some aren’t willing to wait.

Julia Ramirez, Ignite Fredericton’s Population Growth Specialist says finding a great career in New Brunswick, or even Fredericton, is entirely possible. You just need to know where to look.

“There are jobs in the community,” she says. “There are gaps in the skills that we need so it’s finding out what kind of skills you can get that way you can stay in the community.”