~VSA Minister Claret Connor urges applicants to register early, update résumés and prepare for on-site interviews~
PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor Claret Connor has announced that the National Employment Services Center (NESC) will host the National Job Fair 2026 on September 24 at the Aleeze Convention Center.
The job fair will run from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. A pre-registration warm-up event will also be held at the National Institute for Professional Advancement (NIPA) on September 22, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
This will be the third National Job Fair organized by the NESC. Connor said the event has one primary purpose: connecting the people of Sint Maarten directly with employers who are prepared to hire.
“The National Job Fair 2026 is not simply an event—it is a strategic investment in our people and our economy,” Connor stated during the Council of Ministers press briefing.
The upcoming event builds on the National Job Fair held in 2024, which attracted strong participation from local industries and broad community engagement.
According to the NESC Stakeholder Analysis Report 2025, 68.4 percent of surveyed businesses expressed an interest in partnering with the NESC. Another 73 percent indicated that they were willing to recruit workers through the organization’s services.
The 2026 job fair is intended as a direct response to that demand.
Job seekers, employers, and social partners will come together under one roof for structured, one-on-one discussions intended to produce real employment opportunities.
Participating businesses will represent several sectors of the economy, including hospitality and tourism, marine and yachting, retail and wholesale trade, utilities, financial services, timeshare and property services, and small and medium-sized enterprises.
Connor is encouraging job seekers to register in advance at www.nesc.sx and complete their profiles, including information about their education and employment experience.
A completed profile will give participating employers an opportunity to review potential candidates before meeting them at the fair.
Applicants should bring updated résumés, dress appropriately for an interview, and prepare to speak directly with employers.
According to the minister, people who register early and complete their profiles will be best positioned to benefit from the employment opportunities available at the event.