KAMLOOPS — It was a government job fair unlike any this community has ever seen.
Dozens of people lined up at the Four Points by Sheraton in Kamloops this morning to speak with representatives from the BC Liquor Distribution Branch.
With resumes in hand, the applicants were abuzz with nerves and excitement, hoping to secure a career in recreational cannabis sales.
“I’m here for a job interview, to potentially get an awesome job with the government as a trailblazing consultant,” said job-seeker Laura Balogh. “It’d be awesome, an awesome opportunity.”
“Honestly, it’s an industry that I want to be a part of, it’s set to be really popular,” applicant Mat Jacques said. “Really, you can’t do anything better at this point for trying to get ahead in a career.”
On October 17, Kamloops will open the first government-owned cannabis retail outlet in B.C. But before that can happen, the BC Liquor Distribution Branch must secure a number of passionate employees.
“Really, we have no set criteria. We’re looking for anybody who wants to apply that thinks they have a purpose to be on the cannabis side of it,” said Kevin Satterfield, director of retail operations in the cannabis division. “And if they want to come in and have a look at it, we’re more than happy to talk to them and understand why they want to be a part of the culture, and why they want to be a part of cannabis, and want to work with us.”
The job fair began at 10:00 a.m., but some eager applicants were in line hours ahead of time to ensure they were seen.
Terry Kostiuk was first in line.
“This is brand new, and of course being the first store in Kamloops is really exciting,” Kostiuk said. “I just think this is so positive for society and everybody to take the stigma of cannabis away, and to really introduce it to people and show them this isn’t an evil drug.”
“This is really exciting for me personally,” said Angela Hambrook, who has been using medicinal marijuana for years for her multiple sclerosis symptoms. “I am very excited about it. I know there are going to be stores opening everywhere and in five years people are going to be allowed to use it and it’s okay, people are going to be okay with it for sure.”
Hambrook says it’s about time cannabis was legal for recreational use.
“I know the value of it, I understand what it does for people, and what it can do for people,” she said, “and this is just way too late, it’s got to come, and it’s going to come fast.”
The BCLDB plans to begin the formal interview process Friday and Saturday with a handful of positions up for grabs.
“The number of employees depends on the total number of stores,” Satterfield said. “For right now, for the first store we’re looking for two management positions, we’re looking for between four and six full-time positions, and again between six and eight part-time positions, and then we’re deciding whether we want to put auxiliary positions in there as well for seasonal staffing.”
The Kamloops store will be located in the Columbia Place Shopping Centre, opening just in time for legalization.
