SOUTHEAST SASKATCHEWAN — The Southeast College welcomed the public to a pair of its campuses for a career fair and open houses.
The events happened in Estevan on April 29 and Weyburn the following day. The career fairs were an opportunity for people to learn more about work and post-secondary options in their communities, while the open houses were a chance to celebrate the college's 50th anniversary.
"They were excellent. Anytime you have an event, you never know what kind of turnout you're going to have," said Sheena Onrait, the college's vice president of communications and strategic enrolment. "In all the events we've done, it [the turnout] varies from year to year, but overall, we were very, very pleased with the turnout for our events in both Estevan and Weyburn this year."
About 20 exhibitors were at each function. A lot of them were at both, but a few opted for one or the other. Crown corporations, government agencies, businesses looking to fill vacancies and post-secondary institutions were among those in attendance.
Onrait said it's hard to measure the number of people who attended the come-and-go events, but she believes they had at least 200 people in Estevan and a lower turnout in Weyburn, "but still a really great number".
"I truly think our in-person career fair events and in-person events for folks to come out and actually talk to people in person – about whether it's post-secondary options, or whether it's career advancement options or whether it might be entering the market for a new career – … is really strong, and I think there's nothing like it, there's nothing that compares with it," said Onrait.
Zoom and other apps work in some situations, she said, but talking with recruiters, for example, helps make a connection.
The 50th anniversary open houses included tours of each facility and free food. Onrait said the campuses are different, as the Estevan campus has the trades labs, but Weyburn has areas for health-care and hairstyling students. The college has started accepting applicants for its hairstyling program, which will begin in January 2026 after a hiatus.
"It's a classroom and integrated salon right all in the same room. It has its own separate doorway, entryway, and it really enables hairstyling students to come in and realize what it will be like to work in a full-functioning salon."
The nursing lab is "second-to-none", she said, with simulation dolls and a real hospital setting.
A time capsule was opened at the Weyburn campus on April 30. A new container was inserted and is to be opened in 25 years.
