Speed interviews, CV submissions and meetings with recruiters. The Zaragoza Chamber of Commerce hosted the third edition of JobFest this Tuesday, September 29, a fair connecting young job seekers with companies and organizations from the region. According to organizers, more than 2,000 young people attended the event and had the opportunity to meet 75 companies from Aragon.
The event, which coincides with the 14th Employment and Entrepreneurship Fair of the Talento Joven program, allows participants to present their profiles directly to companies, learn what professionals they are looking for and take part in recruitment processes during the day. The program also includes talks on employment, entrepreneurship and artificial intelligence.
The young people attending the fair had very different goals. Some were looking for their first job; others, an internship to begin gaining experience. Some already had jobs but were open to new opportunities to improve their employment situation. “I’ve already handed in two CVs, and I think they’ll hire me at one of the places,” says Hugo, one of the young people who visited the stands. His colleague Diego appreciates these kinds of initiatives “for those of us looking for our first job.”
On the other side of the stands, companies received CVs and met potential candidates. “The truth is that it’s been very well received, as it is every year,” representatives of Integra, one of the organizing companies, said. The company also took advantage of the event to showcase its master’s degree programs.
SPEED INTERVIEWS AND AN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE CHALLENGE
One of the central activities is Speed Job Dating, in which candidates hold brief meetings with company representatives. JobFest also offers a challenge in which participants must explain in 90 seconds an idea about how artificial intelligence can transform the way people study and work through ethical and responsible use.
The program also includes advice on handling recruitment processes, a talk on employment opportunities linked to Amazon and a meeting with entrepreneurs from Aragon. Among them is designer Nacho Lamar, winner of the 2021 National Fashion Design Award.
Félix Gil, CEO of Integra Tecnología, said that participating companies are looking for professionals in sectors such as industry, logistics, technology and services. In his view, learning about new technological tools can complement young people’s training and help ensure that “well-prepared and talented young people stay in Aragon” and contribute to developing the region’s employment base.
A FAIR CONNECTING EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT
Education, Science and Universities Minister Carmen Susín visited the fair alongside other institutional representatives. Susín welcomed the opportunity to bring companies and future employees together in the same space so they could meet and explore potential hires. “Today is a celebration of employment,” she said.
JobFest is organized by the Zaragoza Chamber of Commerce, Integra Tecnología and the ViCOR Foundation, with sponsorship from Caja Rural de Aragón. The fair is being held at the Chamber’s headquarters and is aimed at young people aged 16 to 29 who are enrolled in the Youth Guarantee program.
