Vancouver’s top talent descends on Convention Centre where Vancouver Economic Commission matches hungry jobseekers to innovative companies
Vancouver, BC (May 6, 2016) – The Vancouver Economic Commission (VEC) will host the city’s largest annual career fair on May 14th for Vancouver’s thriving VFX, Animation and Video Games sectors. The fair, now in its fifth year, was started by the Visual Effects Society (VES) and provides sought-after local artists, programmers, design and production management talent and students the opportunity to forge relationships and land lucrative job opportunities in the city.
Vancouver’s booming VFX, Animation and Video Games industries are part of one of the province’s fastest growing sectors, Digital Entertainment and Interactive (DE&I). Over 500 jobs are currently available on the VFX Vancouver Job Board alone. As career opportunities continue to expand in this sector, VEC will work to ensure job seekers and employers are connected, using such channels as the Career Fair.
Close to 30 Vancouver companies and the biggest names in the industry, including Electronic Arts, Bardel Entertainment, MPC, Roadhouse Interactive and Sony Pictures Imageworks, will be featured at the event and competing for top talent to fill available roles.
“Growth in VFX, Animation and Video Games continues to accelerate in Vancouver and this job fair is the foremost venue for finding an amazing new job that pays well and is creative,” says Nancy Mott, the VEC’s Manager, Digital Entertainment & Interactive. “By connecting job seekers with top employers, we are continuing to build an ecosystem that will support the DE&I industry in Vancouver for years to come.”
The organizers expect this year’s fair to be the largest yet, attracting over 1500 job seekers. We’ll also be educating future job seekers by creating an onsite area – Education Alley – where high school students can learn about the latest programs for training and development needed to land a job in the industry.
The VEC career fair has had remarkable success in matching job seekers with employers at previous fairs. Last year, over 80% of respondents surveyed indicated that they hired career fair attendees as a result of the event, and survey results showed that the average company hired two candidates whom they met at the fair. This year, participating companies are looking to fill 200 positions.
“The Vancouver Economic Commission Career Fair is THE place to be to find your new career,” said Tini Wider, Project Manager with Side Street Post. “By getting face time with Side Street Post at last year’s fair, I was able to be hired with a great position this year!”
The 5th annual career fair takes place 11:00am to 4:00pm, Saturday, May 14th at the Vancouver Convention Centre West Building.
“The VEC Career Fair is a great opportunity for parents, students and job seekers to learn more about opportunities in the computer graphics and digital entertainment industries and capitalize on them by getting invaluable face time with the top employers in these fields,” said Samantha Prince, Senior Recruiter at Sony Pictures Imageworks.
“Our organization has had a tremendous experience over the past three years,” said Roula Lainas of Zoic Studios. “It’s an opportunity for job seekers to capitalize on existing opportunities by getting invaluable face time with the top employers, and an equally important opportunity for employers to fill those high in demand positions. Graduates who establish relationships with us almost always cross paths with our studio in the future.”
About the Vancouver Economic Commission
The Vancouver Economic Commission (VEC) works to strengthen the city’s economic future by supporting existing businesses, attracting foreign investment and promoting international trade. The VEC strives to position Vancouver as a globally recognised city for innovative, creative and sustainable businesses.
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Media Contact:
Ingrid Valou
Vancouver Economic Commission
tel: 604 868 1990
ivalou@vancouvereconomic.com
Get in on the conversation! Tweet at @VanEconomic and use the hashtag #YVRDigitalCareers.
