Labour shortages persist despite jobless rise

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This article was published 06/07/2024 (702 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brandon businesses are facing a shortage of skilled workers despite the general rise in unemployment, impacting sectors that require professional skills and trades expertise, say members of the business community.

Statistics Canada said Friday the unemployment rate came in at 6.4 per cent in June, up from 6.2 per cent in May. This raises the total number of unemployed people last month to 1.4 million — an increase of 42,000 from the previous month.

Brandon Chamber of Commerce president Lois Ruston acknowledged the labour shortage has lessened since the pandemic but said there is still need for more skilled workers.

“There is always a need for skilled and talented individuals in our business community,” she told the Sun on Friday. “We still face a significant gap in skilled labour, especially in professional and trades sectors. Long-term solutions are necessary to address these shortages.”

Regarding businesses with skilled applicants who struggle to integrate into the Canadian workplace culture, the chamber president urged collaboration with community partners like Westman Immigrant Services to better prepare newcomers for the Canadian workforce.

“Some businesses in Brandon have successfully hired multiple individuals from the same cultural background, which can ease training and language challenges while fostering a stronger sense of community within the workplace,” she said.

West-Can HR co-owner Rob Starkell echoed those sentiments, saying Brandon’s employment situation mirrors that of many communities in Westman.

“We have a significant shortage of skilled workers in trades, general labour and professional occupations like engineering, and it’s partly due to our lower population base, which limits the depth of available skills locally,” he said. “Consequently, we often need to look beyond our region to find suitable candidates for these roles.”

Starkell linked the scarcity to the challenges newcomers face in getting their overseas credentials recognized in Canada, a process that can be slow and costly.

“Organizations like the Brandon Chamber of Commerce and the Construction Association of Rural Manitoba are advocating for legislative changes to streamline this process,” he said. “Ontario has made strides in this area by allowing engineers to bypass years of Canadian experience for equivalency, and we are working with the Manitoba government to adopt similar measures.”

He said the lack of a proper onboarding process also contributes to labour scarcity across different sectors in the community.

“Four out of five new workers will leave an organization if they’re not boarded properly,” he told the Sun. “Proper onboarding is crucial for all new employees, especially newcomers to Canada who might be unfamiliar with our work culture and employment nuances.”

Effective onboarding should include assigning a mentor, explaining payroll deductions and clarifying labour laws, he said.

Business managers and owners also lamented the shortage of skilled workers across different sectors in Brandon.

The Dock on Princess general manager Erin Wells observed a shift in the type of resumes they receive.

“We don’t get as many resumes from people with experience in the industry, especially for the kitchen,” she said. “When candidates do have experience, they usually have less experience, maybe one to two years in the industry, or they might have experience in a fast-food setting, which is adjacent to what we do but not quite the same.”

Wells also pointed out that many resumes come from new Canadians or candidates on work permits, making it harder to judge their experience from unfamiliar restaurant backgrounds.

Abramson Taxi co-owner Bankole Abejide said many job seekers lack the necessary qualifications that are crucial for his industry.

“While we do have people looking for jobs, many don’t have the necessary licences, like a Class 4 driver’s licence, which is essential for our industry,” he said in an interview on Friday. “This licensing issue is a significant barrier for many job seekers.”

He also noted that many immigrants are reluctant to take entry-level jobs that don’t match their professional qualifications from their home countries, which he said also contributes to the unemployment rate.

“There needs to be better support in helping immigrants understand and adapt to the local job market. Providing clear pathways for skill certification and offering more entry-level job opportunities that can lead to career growth would be beneficial,” Abejide said.

IntriTech Digital Marketing co-owner Emelio Brown, who had to shut down a subsidiary a few years ago due to labour scarcity, said it is important to develop local talent to meet industry needs.

“We need to offer more training programs tailored to the skills in demand,” he told the Sun. “Encouraging local education institutions to align their programs with industry needs can help bridge the gap and ensure a steady supply of qualified professionals.”

Despite the challenges, he remains optimistic about finding skilled labour through innovative solutions like the Brandon Jobs portal.

Travelodge Brandon general manager Alexey Volosnikov has seen a surge in job applications, particularly from recent graduates and those seeking any available work. However, he believes more support is needed for local businesses to grow and tackle unemployment effectively.

“It’s essential to support local businesses because they need more backing from authorities to help private businesses grow,” he told the Sun. “There should be local events and associations focused on employment issues, not just in Winnipeg. Understanding the local market and fostering a supportive business environment is crucial for the local economy because it would reduce unemployment.”

Ruston and Starkell both emphasized the need for businesses to adapt their hiring practices and create inclusive workplace cultures to attract and retain a diverse workforce.

“Our business community in Brandon is innovative and forward-thinking,” Ruston said. “Business owners are continually seeking ways to create partnerships and build inclusive workplace cultures that attract individuals from diverse backgrounds. This adaptability is crucial for addressing our employment challenges.”

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