PANJIM: Around 25 reputed companies will participate in a one-day Job Fair, organised by the Directorate of Factories and Boilers, on January 11, at Quepem.

Minister for Factories and Boilers Chandrakant Kavlekar informed reporters that around 432 vacancies are up for grabs at the fair.

“Reputed companies such as Cipla, Procter and Gamble and Merck Pharmaceuticals will participate in the fair wherein 432 vacancies will be up for grabs for skilled and non-skilled workers,” he said.

Kavlekar said, “The vacancies are for graduates in BE and B Pharm, BSc etc, besides the other streams. The fair is also open for the Std X and XII passed youth.

The minister earlier held a meeting with the Human Resource heads of all 25 companies and sought to know the issues they face while recruiting Goan youth.

“First of all they wanted experienced people and I have explained to them that unless somebody gives opportunity how the experience would come. Secondly, they said Goan youth were not ready to work on shifts and thirdly the transport becomes a major issue,” Kavlekar said.

The minister said he will hold a meeting with Kadamba officials and see if something can be worked out with regards to transport.

The minister expects at least 2,000 Goan youth to participate in the fair.