Yellowknife (May 08/06) - Getting the right job is always a challenge, but the Sahtu region will get a look at all the possibilities during a travelling career fair, May 1-4.

The third annual fair goes to Norman Wells, Fort Good Hope, Tulita and Deline, setting up shop for the day in school gyms.

As many as 25 businesses and other organizations are expected to take part, said Karen Mercer, regional career fair co-ordinator.

"It's been incredibly successful. Every year we get new groups attending," she said.

The main point of the career fair is not to offer jobs but to highlight what kinds of jobs the people of the Sahtu can aspire to take on.

"It's a stay-in-school issue for the students," Mercer said. "It's a chance to ask 'what opportunities do you have and what do I need to do to get them.'"

The fair is focused on students - those about to graduate, but also those who should be convinced to hang in to get their Grade 12 - but is wide open to the general public.

"The fair is a good event for those aged 20-25 who are kicking around to find their first real job," said Andrew Bailes, sales and marketing manager with North-Wright Airways Ltd.

His company has been with the career fair from the start and is chartering the exhibitors to the communities from Norman Wells each day.

"Elders and parents like it all, too," he said.

The number of exhibitors is an encouraging sign.

"Industry is just getting back into the Sahtu the last few years," Bailes said.

"Everyone's really busy so they're looking for quality people."

Being seen is good for the companies.

"It's a really good way to introduce themselves to the community. You'll meet the band chief and elders and get to meet them on a whole new informal level," Bailes explained.

There are jobs for the taking and students are ready to apply.

"They go right to the top of the pile," Bailes said of summer job applications.

Another eager career player is the Canadian Armed Forces.

"The armed forces offers more than 100 trades to both sexes, it pays well and has excellent benefits," said Warrant Officer Chuck Bachmanek.

But while "there's no life like it," the military recognizes the need to let conscripts get their feet wet before taking the plunge into the military.

"It's pretty much a culture shock for anybody, whether they're from Kugluktuk or downtown Toronto," Bachmanek said.

"We have a three-week program in place targeted at First Nations, Inuit or Metis from small communities in the North," he explained. "Once a year there's a mini-recruitment school so they can see what military conditions they will live under."

It pays $1,200 to attend and let's the applicant decide afterwards whether they want to join up or step back.

The length of contract depends on the trade they want to do, Bachmanek said.

Imperial Oil is big on the career fair, seeing it as a chance to put a face on the giant corporation for people thinking about working for it.

"We take some of the employees who are from the Sahtu with us because there is no better role model," said Sandy Whiteman, Imperial Oil's Sahtu community affairs advisor.

"It tells students 'this could be a reality for me.'"