The popularity of Huntsville’s annual job fair, a project started three years ago by the Downtown Huntsville BIA, has led to the creation of a job fair for Bracebridge.

The Bracebridge employment event will debut on Wednesday, Feb. 27 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. in the Bracebridge Sportsplex at 110 Clearbrook Trail. Organized by the Muskoka Job Fairs steering committee, the event is expected have the same drawing power for both employers and prospective employees as the Huntsville job fair. The third edition of the Huntsville fair will run the next day, Thursday, Feb. 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Royal Canadian Legion at 21 Veterans’ Way.

Last year, over 750 people looking for seasonal, part-time and full-time work thronged the Huntsville job fair booths to apply for positions with dozens of employers from all work sectors in Muskoka.  

“The job fair was an excellent opportunity to meet people that have an interest in natural resource and outdoor recreation management,” said Jim Murphy, who was hiring for Algonquin Park. “We had the advantage of speaking with students and describing the various seasonal employment opportunities we offer at the park.”

Standard booths, which are 8’x 5’, can be rented by employers at either fair for $75 per booth. Participants registering before Jan. 15 get the early bird rate of $60 per booth.

Booth-holders can post an unlimited number of notices for positions to be filled on job boards that will be at both locations. Employers who cannot attend either fair but want to let job seekers know about employment opportunities can post job openings on job boards in Huntsville and Bracebridge for $5 per listing.

Employers can also raise their company’s profile at the events by becoming job fair partners.

Gold partnerships, for donations of $1,000 or more, include one complimentary booth at each fair and the company’s name or logo on selected job fair promotional materials, the event program, giveaways and signs at the event.

Companies donating $500 or more receive one free booth in Huntsville and Bracebridge, their logo in the program and on signs at the fair, and their logo and website link on the job fair website. Bronze partnerships provide one complimentary booth, a logo in the program and a logo and website link on the fair website to companies donating $250 or more.

The February job fairs are perfect for employers looking for employees for the spring or summer, as well as year-round. Employment for residents sustains the local economy.

“The challenges of hiring and retaining a work force in the tourism industry and location are multi-faceted,” said Cora Ramirez, director of human resources at Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville. “Attending future local job fairs is now a key action at Deerhurst Resort to aid our efforts.”

For more information or to register for the Huntsville and/or Bracebridge fairs, go to www.ltab20.on.ca.