From January 6 to 8, 2026, Tourism Saskatchewan participated in the Clarence Neault Memorial Fly-In Career Fair, a three-day initiative that brought career exploration and workforce awareness directly to students and communities in Black Lake, Fond du Lac and Wollaston Lake.

Delivered in partnership with northern schools and coordinated by the Keewatin Community Development Association (KCDA), the Career Fair focused on reducing geographic and access barriers by connecting learners in remote northern communities with employers, educators and workforce development partners through meaningful, in-person engagement.

Supporting Career Awareness in Northern Communities

Over the course of three days, the Career Fair engaged 415 participants across the Athabasca Basin, including 370 students in Grades 6 to 12, along with teachers, school staff and adult job seekers. Programming encouraged students to explore a wide range of education pathways, skilled trades, post-secondary options and sector-specific career opportunities.

For Tourism Saskatchewan, participation aligned closely with ongoing workforce development efforts and the goal of increasing awareness of tourism as a viable, rewarding career pathway for northern youth.

Kale Johnson, Career Information Coordinator with Tourism Saskatchewan, attended the event and observed strong engagement from students throughout all three days,

“Over three days, I got to meet students from Black Lake, Fond du Lac and Wollaston Lake, and they were amazing. Their curiosity and excitement made every conversation worthwhile. It was especially encouraging to see their confidence grow as they asked questions and explored different career options.”

Tourism Saskatchewan’s Role in Workforce Development

Tourism careers are often underrepresented in traditional career exploration settings. However, the sector offers a wide range of entry points, transferable skills and long-term opportunities that align well with northern communities. These include careers in guiding and hospitality, marketing, operations and cultural tourism.

Participation in regional career fairs supports Tourism Saskatchewan’s broader workforce development objectives by:

• Increasing awareness of tourism as a viable and meaningful career option
• Sharing information about training and skills development opportunities available across Saskatchewan
• Strengthening relationships with northern educators, communities and partners
• Supporting equitable access to career exploration for students in remote regions

Collaboration Across Sectors

One of the defining strengths of the Clarence Neault Memorial Fly-In Career Fair was its collaborative approach. Industry, education, Indigenous organizations and community partners came together to provide students with exposure to diverse perspectives and pathways, reinforcing the connection between education, training and employment.

Johnson also noted the importance of cross-sector collaboration in supporting students as they consider future pathways,

“There was a strong sense of collaboration among exhibitors. Working together helps create clearer and more accessible pathways for students as they consider their next steps.”

Looking Ahead

The Clarence Neault Memorial Fly-In Career Fair continues to demonstrate the importance of showing up and investing time in northern Saskatchewan. For Tourism Saskatchewan, participation in events like this goes beyond awareness. It is about building relationships, supporting workforce sustainability and ensuring young people across the province can see themselves reflected in future career opportunities.

Reflecting on the impact of the experience, Johnson shared why the event resonated with him personally,

“This event really reinforced why I am passionate about helping students discover new opportunities. I am grateful to have been part of it and look forward to returning.”

Tourism Saskatchewan looks forward to continuing this work alongside northern partners and helping open doors to meaningful careers across Saskatchewan.