Job fair celebrates 30 years of connecting employers with skilled students and graduates

Sept. 19, 2024
For Immediate Release

WATERLOO – Thousands of area post-secondary graduates and students will connect with 180 employers on September 25 for the 30th anniversary Partnerships for Employment (P4E) Job Fair, taking place at the Manulife Sportsplex at Waterloo’s RIM Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

The largest job fair of its kind in Canada, P4E is a partnership between Wilfrid Laurier University, University of Waterloo, University of Guelph, and Conestoga College. Admission is open to students and alumni of those institutions. 

Laurier’s Assistant Vice-President of Experiential Learning and Career Development, Jan Basso, was instrumental in creating the P4E job fair and has been part of organizing it since its inception.

“At P4E partner institutions, we engage students in career planning from their very first year of studies,” said Basso. “This job fair is about connecting employers with skilled and future-ready candidates, who will ultimately go on to drive Ontario’s economic growth and prosperity.”

The job fair is held each September and February, with the September fair focused on full-time career opportunities and the February event promoting career opportunities, co-op roles, and summer jobs. The fairs typically attract 2,500 to 4,000 students and more than 150 actively recruiting employers. Career services offices at each partner institution help students and alumni prepare for the event with support for researching career paths and employers, resumé writing, interviewing, and more.

"Over its 30 years, the P4E job fair has grown tremendously and remains a ‘can’t-miss’ for students and employers alike,” said Trevor Buttrum, executive director of the Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers. “It showcases the high quality of regional post-secondary institutions, connects leading employers with exceptional talent, and empowers students to pursue opportunities that will launch their careers. This event stands out as a stellar example of collaboration and a strategic investment in talent equity, skills development, and the career success of post-secondary talent.”

To celebrate the 30th anniversary, the P4E job fair will include a brief program at 11:30 a.m. with remarks and a photo opportunity. Senior leaders from partner institutions and local and regional elected officials will be in attendance. Media are welcome to attend.