Black Gold students appreciate opportunity to connect with their future at Career Fair
Black Gold School Division is pleased to have hosted a successful Trades, Career and Employment Fair. An estimated 1,250 people circulated the more than 60 vendor booths during the event on March 26, 2026.
Local Black Gold High Schools brought Grade 9 to 12 students during the afternoon, and parents and community members were welcome to attend starting at 4 pm.
“Thank you to students, parents, community members and potential employers for making this event a success,” says Chris Stiles, Director of Strategic Programs & Leadership for BGSD. “Also a sincere thank you to our two partners who helped to make the event possible: The Leduc & Wetaskiwin Regions Chamber of Commerce and Careers, the Next Generation. We appreciate your investment in youth and our community.”
Vendors came from a variety of industries including:
- Construction & manufacturing
- Esthetics
- Fire rescue
- Heating & cooling
- Energy
- Office to Advance Women Apprentices
- Police
- Healthcare
- Transportation
- Armed forces
- Trade unions
Stiles says connecting students with possible employers is valuable for students because, “It gives students a look at what is possible in their future. Students tell us that is helpful as they plan, and it gives them additional motivation as they complete high school.”
“This event aligns well with our school division’s priorities of success, wellness and engagement & partnerships,” says Stiles. “Students find success when they are excited about what is ahead of them, and also then feel motivated to finish high school. Another benefit of students feeling hope for the future is increased wellness right now, and we anticipate connecting with a job they’ll enjoy will help them feel well throughout their career. Black Gold is incredibly pleased with engagement opportunities this event provided for our students and community."
Taylor A., a student from Leduc Composite High School, says, “I liked learning all the interesting information about all the jobs that I wasn’t even interested in before, and they’re cool. The emergency services table was super cool.” Taylor adds that the event is good for students because they “can realize there are more jobs out there for them, and see what they are interested in.”
Brady W., a student from Warburg School, enjoyed circulating with the vendors displaying trades opportunities. “I want to go into carpentry or concrete,” he says, and having an event where students can ask questions is good because, “It can help you get an idea of what you want to do, and if you have an idea of what you want to do you can find the opportunities to get into it.” Brady says he was excited, in particular, to talk with construction companies and in the BGSD Collegiate Program that offers dual credit carpentry learning.
Jarrett A., a student from Calmar Secondary Collegiate School, says, “The vendors were friendly and informative. It’s good to network and get your name out there. When you’re in high school you don't really have any work experience. Nobody knows who you are, so it’s nice at an event like this to get your name out there.” Jarrett says he is looking into carpentry as a career, and enjoyed talking with representatives from several construction companies.
“My favorite part was learning about the new pathways for paramedics,” says Kenna M., a student from Thorsby Junior Senior High. “Also, I liked meeting new people and being able to talk about new pathways that I hadn’t thought about.” Kenna says she was interested to learn about a degree pathway for paramedics that will soon be open. “Today definitely added some clarity that I wasn’t sure about before.”
This is the fifth year Black Gold School Division has offered a Trades, Career and Employment Fair. The Division plans to host a similar event again next spring.
