Companies on the lookout for new employees will be targeting their search on the mid Island this month.

The Commissionaires, a non-profit Canadian security firm, are just one of the many exhibitors attending the Black Press Extreme Education and Career Fair, which takes place on Sept. 12 at the Nanaimo Curling Centre.

Matt Rende, a recruiting officer with Commissionaires, said the company is looking to hire about 20 to 30 people in Nanaimo.

“In Nanaimo, we have a strong need for people who are flexible working various sites; we call them spares,” he said.

The Commissionaires were founded in 1937 and have been on the Island for decades, according to Rende. He said the security industry is growing.

“Security is a growing industry in general and there is always going to be a need for that,” he said. “We’re looking at expanding in Nanaimo, especially into mobile patrols.”

Rende said ideally, the Commissionaires are looking for military veterans or people with some experience in law enforcement but are able to take on individuals without that kind of experience, too.

“If people have previous military or RCMP experience that is great,” he said. “If not, we are looking for people who can learn and grow with us and basically learn the trade.”

Rende also said applicants, if they don’t already have one, will be required to obtain a B.C. Security License and attend a security training course.

“For people who haven’t done the training we do in-house training in Nanaimo,” he said. “We have a trainer who puts on a course, approximately once a month, and he will get them the basic security certificate. It gives them all the required standards for the provincial license.”

At the end of the day, Rende said the Commissionaires are a good company to work for and that there are always opportunities for career advancement.

“We always promote from within,” he said. “We like to recognize talent and see how far people go for it. That is important for us.”

The Black Press Extreme Education and Career Fair takes place Sept. 12, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Nanaimo Curling Centre. For more information, view the fair’s Facebook page.