Bringing Opportunity North: Career Fair in Patuanak Highlights Future Pathways

March 28, 2025

On March 26, 2025, Des Nedhe Group’s Human Resources team was proud to co-host a vibrant and well-attended career fair at St. Louis School in Patuanak, Saskatchewan, alongside a strong lineup of employers, educational institutions, and industry partners. The event ran from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., creating an important space for students, job seekers, and ERFN Community members to engage directly with companies and post-secondary institutions about future opportunities.

With over a month of planning led by the Des Nedhe HR team and the English River First Nation band office, the event was carefully designed to serve both youth and adults exploring careers in mining, energy, hospitality, skilled trades, and more. The school welcomed students from Grades 7 to 12, along with Community staff, social assistance clients, and other ERFN members seeking information about employment, education, and training.

Participating organizations included:

Des Nedhe Group, Tron Construction & Mining, Aurora Renewables, Creative Fire, Cameco Corporation, Orano Canada, Denison Mines, Athabasca Catering, 3twenty Modular, Mainstay Engineers , JNE Welding, Datsa Dynamics, Team Drilling, Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT), Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Northlands College, University of Saskatchewan – College of Nursing, and Meadow Lake Tribal Council Bioenergy Centre

While many participants offered live presentations and face-to-face conversations, JNE Welding and Datsa Dynamics also made an impression through their marketing and employment materials, which generated strong interest and sparked conversations about careers in fabrication and drone-based data collection.

Attendees were also given the chance to speak on air with Pat D’Jonaire, radio host for CPAT 89.9FM, the local radio network. These interviews gave students and Community members a unique platform to share their thoughts and experiences, and to hear from industry leaders about what the future of work could look like.

Educational institutions shared details on courses, certificates, and degree programs, helping students and new job seekers alike see clear paths toward their goals. Industry representatives, meanwhile, took the time to explain the real work being done on mine sites and project sites across the province.

The event included lunch and prize giveaways, and the energy in the room was a clear sign that the effort to bring this career fair north was worthwhile. We thank every presenter, partner, and attendee for making this event a success, and for investing in the future of the English River Community. We look forward to returning again with even more opportunities.

NT4