The Sungod Recreation Centre was a beehive of activity Thursday for the Delta Trades and Technical Career Fair.
Organized in conjunction with the Delta school district, it was the second year for the trades fair, which featured many different information booths and displays, several being hand-on, with representatives from post secondary trades schools and industries.
The main show stage had guest speakers including local employers, and a variety of experts in mechanics, culinary arts and other fields, talking about how students could achieve a successful future career.
The event in North Delta also featured a presentation by celebrity chef and culinary instructor Shelley Robinson, the recent winner of Chopped Canada and current contestant on Top Chef Canada
Every Delta high school and almost all elementary schools brought students to the event.
Delta CAO George Harvie told the Optimist, a media sponsor, the fair was specifically aimed at grades 7 to 10 students, although it was also open for the older grades to attend during the evening. The fair went from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m, giving students a chance to come back with their parents later to spend more one-on-one time with representatives from the various trades.
Harvie noted Mayor Lois Jackson came up with the idea a year ago to organize such an event because it was important for young people to know there are other career paths besides university, including good paying jobs in trades, some having a high demand for skilled workers.
The event this year grew to 75 different exhibitors, including the school district having information on its many career training programs, such as the culinary arts.
Harvie added the fair was a huge success and that many more employers had expressed interest in participating.
