Who We Are

Job Fair is truly a community event, made possible by the sponsorship of The Academy for Technical Education and Vocational Training and funding of Employment Ontario. However, it simply would not happen with any degree of success if it were not for the participation and support of over 70 local businesses and organizations. With such widespread participation and high visitor counts there is a sense of community ownership of the event. As well, it is clear from the evaluations received from exhibitors and visitors that this event has value from both perspectives.

Academy for Technical Education & Vocational Training

Job Fair Project Sponsor

The Academy for Technical Education & Vocational Training is a non-profit Ontario Corporation with charitable status. The Academy operates under the direction of a Board of Directors, with Mr. Merv Farrow as its current chair and original co-founder. Day-to-day operations are overseen by Carol Leduc, Executive Director, and Jan Read, Office/Finance Administrator.

The Academy is committed to providing quality employment related program delivery. In its 19 year history, this organization has enabled hundreds of people in Northwestern Ontario gain valuable skills training for a wide range of careers, from Computers to Construction. The Academy’s recent focus is to expand on project delivery and quality professional development seminars and workshops for local businesses and organizations. From their local base offices, they have provided services in the Kenora, Dryden and Fort Frances area as well as local First Nation communities.

The Academy has a strong background in the design, delivery and implementation of employment focused training and job assistance programs throughout Northwestern Ontario. The Academy has continued to be entrusted to sponsor the JobsNOW Employment Resource Centre and Assisted Services, which has has proven extremely successful, and by all indicators considered a valued resource in the community. Past projects include a Career Fair Review for Northwestern Ontario communities, Job Fair Kenora 2007 & 2008, Core Competency training for HRSDC staff, Employment Workshops, and numerous Employability Skills Training courses.

In their third year of sponsoring Job Fair, The Academy for Technical Education & Vocational Training has again contracted with consultant, Diane Schwartz-Williams of Reach Marketing and Business Services to plan and coordinate the delivery of Job Fair 2009 in Kenora. Diane has, for the past 7 years, demonstrated her expertise and ability to produce an exceptional event in Kenora and the Academy is pleased to be working with her this year. Carol and Jan at the Academy are looking forward to expanding their involvement in Job Fair 2009, working alongside Diane in the daily planning activities for this exciting event.

Diane Schwartz-Williams, Reach Marketing & Business Services

Job Fair Coordinator

Diane Schwartz-Williams has 28 years of experience in marketing, retail management and event coordination. Having launched her career with 7 years as a Regional Department Manager for The Bay, Diane formed her own company, Reach Marketing and Business Services in 1984. Her broad spectrum of clients has included major corporations, small businesses and not-for-profit organizations.

Diane has been integrally involved in all components of retail/service businesses and project management including development and implementation of business and marketing plans, budgeting and budget management, daily operation, staff training and reworking of the plan based on observed results. With demonstrated strengths in planning, marketing, advertising, creative development, communication, attention to detail and follow-through, Diane draws on all her experience and knowledge for the benefit of each of her clients. Reach Marketing and Business Services (i.e. Diane) has been responsible for the successful planning and coordination of Job Fairs in Kenora since 2001. Each year she takes a hard look at the event, considering ways to take the event up another notch, and each year Job Fair has proven to even bigger and better than the previous year.