The Metro Toronto Convention Centre recently hosted the 20th edition of the National Job Fair & Training Expo. Taking place April 4th and 5th, 2012, this exposition featured approximately 165 exhibitors and more than 200 booths. Starting with just 34 exhibitors and 6,500 visitors in 2002, the most recent event attracted approximately 10,000 individuals. 

The 2012 National Job Fair & Training Expo spring fair offered five distinct pavilions covering employment, training and education, career services, entrepreneurship-self-employment, and study-work-stay abroad programs. Focusing on opportunity and networking, the event strives to stimulate the national recruitment marketplace. With each new exposition, coordinators explore how trends in career development and the job search process have shifted over the last six months, inviting new exhibitors and creating innovative booths.

About the author: A participant in the National Job Fair & Training Expo, Toronto Pathways served as an exhibitor in the spring 2012 edition, as well as the fall 2011 fair. Since its inception, Toronto Pathways has helped numerous candidates find jobs, shift their career focuses, and prepare for the job market.

Q: Thank you for joining us. To start out, what exactly does Toronto Pathways do?

Toronto Pathways: Everyone has talents suited to different types of work; however most people often don't know how to find the type of work they want. We collaborate with qualified and select candidates to identify exciting opportunities that interest them. Then we put our resources to work assisting them get a foot in the door.

Q: How do your representatives learn more about each candidate's specific skills?

Toronto Pathways: We start with open-ended questions to help candidates determine whether or not they want to find work in a different field. For example, are they satisfied with their current occupation or employer? Do they feel underpaid in their industry? Are they underemployed?

Q: What employers does your business work with?

Toronto Pathways: We have established excellent relationships with well-known companies across dozens of industries. For example, we have helped candidates secure positions with Canon, Microsoft, Air Canada, Sun TV, and even the City of Toronto.

Q: Where can people learn more about your services?

Toronto Pathways: Visit www.torontopathways.com to complete the free job search evaluation or arrange an appointment in advance to visit us in person at 350 Bay Street Unit #900, Toronto, Ontario.