By Adam Eisenbarth
A new face is in town and he’s ready to assist in your job search.
Winston Bull is the new program co-ordinator at the Rimbey Regional Employment Centre.
The centre brings together a number of free services including job listings, resume writing and career planning. A fax machine and computer are available for use at the centre as well.
In his first three weeks in Rimbey, Bull has been pleased with what he’s seen.
“I just want to thank the people of Rimbey. The people that I’ve met so far have been nothing but extremely friendly and very courteous.”
While you may think the employment centre would be busy with students looking for summer work, Bull says that hasn’t been the case.
“Believe it or not, I haven’t had one. I’ve been here approximately three weeks and I haven’t seen one student.”
He has no expectations as to whether that will change, but encourages students, and anyone else for that matter, to stop by for whatever they need.
“It’s a drop-in centre so people can just stop in and it’s usually just a very fast service.”
Instead of students, Bull says it’s job seekers in their mid-to-late-20s he sees, as well as those who have worked in the oilfield for several years and have been laid off.
With the recent economic downturn, it has been a bit of a nervous time for many looking for work but there are signs of better times to come.
“Fortunately the oilfield is starting to pick up and the service jobs are starting to come back. People that were nervous in the past are starting to get their feet back on the ground and it’s good to see and that’s what we’re here for.”
Bull has noticed Rimbey is quite similar to other areas throughout Alberta.
“Alberta runs on oil and when the oil industry suffers, Alberta suffers, so it’s pretty much the same in most places.”
His advice to those seeking jobs is quite simple.
“Be persistent and be confident. Most of these people have worked for a lengthy period of time in the oilfield and they have invaluable skills.”
It’s not always that easy however, especially for those who have been secure with jobs for several years.
“The biggest thing that I’ve seen so far is that people haven’t had a reason to market themselves because they were working. Now we’ve come to a point where some people have to learn how to market themselves.”
Bull is ready to help with that, and several other issues facing job seekers.
All services are free and the centre works in partnership with Alberta Employment and Immigration.