Red Deer College was the place to be for job hunters and headhunters alike on Wednesday, with the school holding its Central Alberta Career Fair.

Ann Garrett, a career and employment coordinator at RDC, said opportunities for in-person contact are beneficial to all.

“In this day and age when we have to either email resumes or upload to software programs, we miss the face to face contact.The beauty of an employer spotlight or a career fair, the job seekers and the employers have a chance to connect, have a chat,” Garrett said.

“The job seekers have an opportunity to ask questions about the company, what positions are available. It’s good learning for them as well.”

Forty organizations set up as exhibitors. Tessa Jones, a recruiter for Quinn Contracting was among them.

Jones was trying to fill 200 local trades jobs for the spring and said their hiring spree was a healthy sign for the company.

“Definitely slowed down in the past years but we’re definitely seeing more positions come available, more projects,” she said. “We can start employing those apprentices again and those tradespeople who’ve been off. I definitely think we’re on an upswing.”