GREAT BAY--More than 600 job seekers have already registered through the National Employment Services Center’s online job portal, while more than 800 vacancies are available across a broad range of sectors ahead of the National Job Fair 2026, scheduled for September 24 at the Aleeze Convention Center.
The figures were highlighted by Head of Labor Affairs Peggy Richardson and Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor Claret Connor in a promotional video for the upcoming fair. Richardson said the growing number of registered job seekers and available vacancies demonstrates both the demand for employment and the number of opportunities currently being offered by employers.
The National Job Fair will be held on September 24 from 11:00am to 6:00pm, with a pre-registration and preparation event scheduled for September 22 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the National Institute for Professional Advancement, NIPA.
The 2026 fair will be the third National Job Fair organized by the National Employment Services Center, NESC, and is designed to connect job seekers directly with employers who are actively recruiting.
Minister Connor described the fair as an important bridge between people looking for work and businesses searching for employees.
“The National Job Fair 2026 is not simply an event, it is a strategic investment in our people and our economy,” Connor said. “It is built for one purpose: connecting the people of St. Maarten directly with employers who are ready to hire.”
Participating employers represent several areas of the economy, including hospitality and tourism, marine and yachting, retail and wholesale trade, utilities, financial services, timeshare and property services, as well as small and medium-sized businesses.
Richardson stressed that job seekers should not wait until the day of the fair to begin preparing. She encouraged persons seeking employment to register through the NESC job portal atwww.nesc.sxand to complete their profiles by including their education, qualifications and work experience.
A completed profile gives participating employers an opportunity to review potential candidates before meeting them at the Job Fair and can make the eventual face-to-face conversation more focused and productive.
Connor said the digital platform can also help people who may initially feel uncomfortable walking into an office and approaching an employer directly. By developing their profile online first, job seekers can clearly set out who they are, the experience they bring and the type of opportunity they are seeking before entering into an in-person conversation.
Richardson encouraged applicants to treat the Job Fair as a genuine employment opportunity by arriving prepared, dressing appropriately for an interview and bringing an updated résumé.
Employers are also being encouraged to register their vacancies onwww.nesc.sxahead of the event. Posting vacancies in advance allows job seekers to review available positions and apply before the fair, giving both employers and candidates more time to identify potential matches.
The Ministry said the 2026 fair builds on the National Job Fair held in 2024 and responds to continued demand from the private sector. According to the NESC Stakeholder Analysis Report 2025, 68.4% of surveyed businesses indicated interest in partnering with the employment center, while 73% indicated a willingness to hire through its services.
Connor said the combination of registered job seekers, available vacancies and the online platform creates an opportunity to move beyond simply hosting an event and instead produce real employment outcomes.
“This Job Fair is an opportunity for everyone to take advantage of,” Connor said. “It is an opportunity for people to step up and respond, and it is also an opportunity for employers seeking to fill positions to find the right person.”
The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor and the NESC said they remain committed to developing a more inclusive and resilient labor market in St. Maarten by strengthening the connection between employers, job seekers and employment services.
National Job Fair 2026Pre-registration and preparation:September 22, 6:00pm to 8:00pm, NIPANational Job Fair:September 24, 11:00am to 6:00pm, Aleeze Convention CenterJob portal:www.nesc.sx
