Key Takeaways:
- Employers in Manitoba are trying to entice younger generations into the workforce due to a continuous labor shortage.
- Jason Gill, vice president of Staffmax and recruiting, claims that Manitoban businesses are compelled to assume more accountability.
- The labor force hasn’t been able to meet demand, claims Fletcher Baragar, an associate professor of economics at the University of Manitoba.
Due to a persistent labor shortage, employers in Manitoba are attempting to recruit younger generations to the workforce.
According to experts, there are sufficient workers in Manitoba; they are simply not actively employed; thus, employers must offer incentives.
One business owner claims that because they have been focused on creating a desirable workplace, they have not experienced any difficulties with hiring.
Applications have flooded since The Forks Trading Company owner Brad Hewlett posted a job listing for a bookkeeper.
Hewlett reported that the response had been tremendous. “We’ve had many individuals show up for the job—way more than I anticipated.”
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He claimed to have done everything in his power to make it a nice job for a potential new hire, including giving a greater salary than usual.
“Additionally, we offer paid birthday holidays, profit sharing, bonuses, and a 40% discount on all the goods we sell. Regarding hours, we are accommodating; we simply want to create the best environment possible.”
According to Jason Gill, vice president of Staffmax and recruiting, Manitoban firms are forced to take on more responsibility.
“They may consider paying new hiring and existing employees more, but they also need to consider offering flexible schedules. How much of your work is done from home, as well as being a little more empathetic when you realize that individuals need time off to be flexible because you want to keep those employees happy, “said Gill.
The most current labor force survey from Statistics Canada shows that employment has increased in Manitoba by 2.8% since July last year and by 0.4% since June.
Since July 2021, unemployment has decreased by 42 percent and 7.9 percent, respectively, with Manitoba and Winnipeg having unemployment rates lower than the national average.
According to Fletcher Baragar, an associate professor of economics at the University of Manitoba, the labor force itself hasn’t been able to keep up with demand.
“The population is there, but what we’ve seen in the last year, especially in Manitoba, is that out of that population, you could say the potential labor force, less or a lower percentage are deciding to get into the market,” said Baragar.
He claimed that the labor shortage is because fewer people between the ages of 15 and 24 are entering the labor field, while more people over the age of 55 are leaving it.
“Higher salaries, better working conditions, and better benefits undoubtedly need to happen to maintain workers in the labor force and draw additional individuals into the labor force.”
Hewlett is particularly interested in such elements.
Hewlett said we welcome them in and take pleasure in having a second small family.
Source: CTV News
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