Recruiter Joshua Burton of the Canadian Armed Forces speaks with an attendee at the 2026 Jobs Fair hosted by the Mount Pearl-Paradise Chamber of Commerce on September 17 at the Reid Community Centre. More than 30 businesses and organizations were on hand for the event. Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Tyler Waugh photo
By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Tyler Waugh
Exhibitors at the annual Mount Pearl-Paradise Chamber of Commerce job fair were kept hopping as potential employees lined up as much as 10-people deep at different points of the day looking for work and new beginnings.
John Leo is currently employed by Apple, but it’s a work from home position, and he was at the September 17 job fair looking for a work environment where he has in-person, face to face interaction.
“Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good job, but I was interested in seeing what was out there. I was notified about this event through a community group – the Filipino Association – and thought I would check it out,” Leo said, who moved to Newfoundland from the Philippines three years ago and has experience in manufacturing and five years of work experience in Taiwan.
He said he found more opportunities at the event than he had anticipated.
“I was surprised. There are a lot more places hiring and there are more open positions than I thought. I’m on Indeed and I didn’t see a lot of these jobs, there’s definitely more out there.”
Wanda Palmer, executive director of the chamber, said that the 30 exhibitors were a record number. The event drew around 800 job seekers last year but based on attendance by lunchtime it seemed that 2026 was going to set a higher benchmark.
“It’s been busy,” said Joshua Burton, a recruiter on hand for the Canadian Armed Forces.
Other exhibitors included banks and other financial groups, non-profit organizations, municipalities, the provincial government, industry, contractors, retailers and food service companies.
Palmer said she was surprised to find a line up waiting when the doors opened at 9:30 a.m. It was a mix of new entrants to the workforce and individuals in transition from elsewhere, but she also noted there were people either looking for change, or potential advancement.
And with the job fair now in the rearview mirror, the chamber is focused on its upcoming Oct. 7 luncheon with Premier Tony Wakeham, where conversation will centre on the Churchill Falls Agreement.
“It should be a good discussion, an important one,” Palmer said.
The event takes place 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Reid Community Centre, with networking between 11:30 a.m. and noon.
Attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions in advance.