CAREER & WORKFORCE ENGAGEMENT FAIR 2026

Step into your future at the CAREER & WORKFORCE ENGAGEMENT FAIR 2026, a pivotal event hosted by Citizens for the Advancement of Community Development (CACD). This illuminating fair is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the vibrant Mississauga Valley Community Centre, located at 1275 Mississauga Valley Boulevard, Mississauga, ON L5A 3R8. This is more than just a job fair; it's a dynamic platform designed to inspire, inform, and empower young people by directly connecting them with an array of opportunities.

The CACD Career and Workforce Engagement Fair stands as one of the signature events of our 2026 Summer F.L.A.M.E. (Future Leadership, Access, Mentorship and Employment) Programme. Far exceeding the scope of a traditional career fair, this interactive experience is meticulously crafted to bridge the gap between young individuals and their potential futures. Attendees will have an unparalleled opportunity to engage directly with top local employers, seasoned industry professionals, leading post-secondary institutions, representatives from skilled trades, dedicated community organizations, and influential government agencies.

What Awaits You? Through a rich tapestry of engaging conversations, hands-on demonstrations, captivating career showcases, and invaluable networking opportunities, participants will gain profound insights into a vast spectrum of career pathways. The fair will illuminate the essential education, critical skills, and practical experiences required to thrive in today's rapidly evolving workforce. This event actively encourages students to proactively contemplate their future, guiding them in the exploration of careers that resonate deeply with their interests, talents, and aspirations.

Diverse Exhibitors & Practical Learnings: Exhibitors representing a broad range of sectors will be present, including but not limited to:

• Business & Finance
• Technology & Artificial Intelligence
• Healthcare & Human Services
• Skilled Trades & Engineering
• Government & Public Service
• Law Enforcement & Community Safety
• Education
• Media, Communications & Creative Industries
• Environmental & Sustainability Careers
• Entrepreneurship & Small Business

These industry leaders will offer practical advice, share compelling personal career journeys, and introduce participants to a wealth of volunteer, mentorship, internship, apprenticeship, and direct employment opportunities.

Interactive Engagement & Future Focus: A highlight of the experience is the Career Passport Challenge, an innovative initiative designed to encourage every student to visit each exhibitor, ask meaningful questions, and uncover new, exciting possibilities. Interactive displays, cutting-edge technology demonstrations, immersive career simulations, and structured professional networking activities are integrated throughout the day, ensuring that every learning moment is engaging, practical, and truly memorable.

Furthermore, a special emphasis will be dedicated to future-focused careers, exploring emerging fields such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics, digital media, environmental sustainability, and innovation. This focus aims to help young people comprehensively understand the burgeoning opportunities that will define tomorrow's economy. Complementary workforce readiness activities, including expert sessions on résumé preparation, invaluable interview tips, effective workplace communication strategies, personal branding, and comprehensive career planning, will further equip participants with the confidence and essential skills vital for future success.

CACD's Commitment to Youth Empowerment: The Career and Workforce Engagement Fair profoundly reflects CACD's unwavering commitment to preparing young people not merely for immediate employment, but for a lifelong journey of learning, leadership, active civic engagement, and truly meaningful careers. As an integral component of our esteemed Learners to Leaders+ Framework, this event empowers participants to envision themselves as future leaders, dynamic innovators, pioneering entrepreneurs, and dedicated community builders, all capable of making significant, positive contributions to their workplaces and the wider community.

Whether you are exploring career options for the very first time, or are meticulously planning your post-secondary education and employment trajectory, attendees will undoubtedly depart from the Fair enriched with new knowledge, valuable connections, heightened confidence, and a crystal-clear vision of the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. Don't miss this unparalleled chance to shape your future!