Hundreds of people attended a job fair in Steinbach Tuesday evening. It was put on by Eastman Immigrant Services and Steinbach Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber Executive Director Linda Peters says the unemployment rate here is actually quite low.

"We've actually been really fortunate in our area, for many years now we've been way below the Canadian rate," explains Peters. "Manitoba has been around the 5.2 per cent rate now for a little while whereas the Canadian rate is about 7.2."

Peters says that means the pool to draw from for employers is smaller.

"It means employers have to be concerned about creating a good work environment for their staff if you want to retain employees," she says. "It's more than just giving them a job."

Peters says it means employers need to create an environment where staff want to stay, where they feel appreciated, rewarded and challenged.

There were more than two dozen employers at the fair. Sue Barkman was there on behalf of ThirdQuarter, a recruitment agency specializing in finding employment for those over the age of forty-five.

"People often in that third quarter are finding it just as difficult to get the attention of a recruiter or employer," notes Barkman. "A lot of people have ageism all over their face."

Barkman says that means a potential employer sees a little too much grey hair and they won't give that applicant the time of day.

"We're finding a lot of employers who are waking up to the fact that experience is really what they need," she says. "So we're here to help."

Ingrid Bouche was one of hundreds of people who toured the fair Tuesday. Bouche first moved to Steinbach in 2005 and then went back to Germany for four years. She has since returned, along with her husband and two small children. She admits it's difficult finding employment.

"It's a big challenge because my husband, he barely speaks English," says Bouche. "It's very challenging to find something where he can work and communicate and for myself it's challenging because I have two little kids and I need afternoon jobs."

Bouche and her husband both filled out applications Tuesday and are hoping to be rewarded.