Job fair goes the extra mile for youth, Young people from Jaku Konbit organize Carleton University event
Posted Feb 16, 2012 By Michelle Nash
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EMC community - A youth organized job fair at Carleton University promises to be unlike any other.
Michelle Nash, Metroland
Youth leaders, back row from left, Justice Ndatuje, Shelly Sawyers, Jedler Jean Jacques and Rita Ridrigues and front row from left, Tayo Olat, Sebastian Guy and Jordie Ibalanky have been meeting every Wednesday at the Bronson Centre to organize a youth-oriented job fair. The Peer 2 Peer event will take place at Carleton University on Feb. 18.
Youth from the organization Jaku Konbit have taken the lead on organizing the UJIMA job fair for Feb. 18 at Carleton University, in the Atrium building. The fair's focus is on youth finding meaningful employment.
"It is all about peer to peer engagement," said organizer Justice Ndatuje. "With this job fair we have focused on a higher standard of employment opportunities. It is not just about getting a job at McDonalds."
Ndatuje added the fair will have employers from all over Ottawa, including the City of Ottawa, Canadian Forces, the Ottawa police and CSIS.
"All they have to do is bring their resume," Ndatuje said.
Jaku Konbit is a non-profit organization that focuses on family-oriented and community based initiatives for black Canadian children and youth in the Ottawa region. This is the second time the group has held a job fair and fair organizer Shelly Sawyers said the intention is to make it an annual event.
The fair includes a number of fun youth-oriented features such as a DJ and informal kiosks. "We added the DJ because we thought, why not? Why not make it fun, we are targeting youth aren't we? Why not engage them?" Sawyers said.
Jedler Jean Jacques attended the fair last year and admitted he came in because of the music, but stayed and became a success story.
"I really didn't expect anything when I went, but I really liked the music and ended up getting a job," Jean Jacques said.
In a statement Ottawa Centre MPP Yasir Naqvi said he was inspired by the commitment and the passion of the youth.
"They are proof that young people want to and can make a difference. They show us, through their contributions to building stronger communities, that youth can really change the world and build a brighter future for all Ontarians."
The event starts runs from noon to 3:30 p.m. and all youth or job seekers are invited.
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