Coping with Labor Shortages in Calgary
 Donna G. Bergles |
Based in Toronto, Donna Bergles has been working in the relocation industry since 1982. Over the last few years, she has had the opportunity to observe the phenomenal growth of Alberta’s economy first hand. While a graying workforce takes a back seat, oil investments are growing at a rapid pace, resulting in staff shortages, wage pressures and a shortfall of skilled workers. Recruitment is developing into one of the biggest issues facing Human Resource professionals in the region. Donna has witnessed the impact this economic growth is having on the workforce and has experienced the effects it’s had on the relocation industry, in Alberta and throughout Canada. Donna shares her insights and offers some “employee enticement” strategies. Much has been said over the past few years about the impending workforce shortage. As the graying workforce are being phased out of the workplace, there are insurmountable gaps left to fill. Additionally, corporations are struggling to fill positions that require high-technology skills in order to remain competitive. Global reports and demographic research have been pointing to this situation in most developed countries and Canada is certainly no exception. |
Nowhere in Canada is this reality more prevalent than in Alberta, most particularly, Calgary, Alberta.
Crown business expansion requirements led me to a four month assignment in Calgary and I have experienced first hand what happens to the economy when there just aren’t enough workers to keep it going smoothly. Almost every employer in Calgary is seeking staff. From the retailers, who are offering signing bonuses to hourly workers, to corporations seeking to fill professional and technical positions. One cannot go far in Calgary without being inundated with advertisements, job fairs and recruitment efforts of all descriptions, each desperately trying to fill the service gaps which undoubtedly occur as a result of the staffing shortage.
Corporations and small business alike seek strategies to contend with the labour force shortage. Something that made it very clear for me was visiting a small community outside of Calgary and being turned away from three restaurants whose signs indicated that they were closed early due to lack of staff.
What can be done or will employers simply have to cope?
It is apparent that unprecedented creativity is being employed in all industry sectors in order to attract personnel. Corporations are appealing to today’s labour that is seeking work-life balance by offering flexible hours and even flexible days; extended vacations (one corporation in Calgary recently increased its vacation allocation to all employees from the standard three weeks to an incredible six weeks); gym memberships; corporate subsidy for day care; COLA (cost of living allowance) payments for those moving within Canada; generous car allowances; and, highly competitive salaries.
It is clear that money alone is not enough. Extensive opportunities for all sectors of the workforce, particularly for professional, technical and trades, allow workers the luxury of wanting it all. Aside from the “perks,” some of which were mentioned earlier, workers want to know that there are opportunities for them to grow in the organization. They expect that the employer will provide them with ongoing education, memberships in industry associations and opportunity for promotions. Global corporations offer the opportunity for international assignments, which can in itself be a draw for particularly younger workers.
Alberta’s phenomenal economic growth over the past few years exemplifies a microcosm of the labour shortage issues faced throughout Canada and the rest of the world. Its economic boom has provided many benefits for its population, but, as is always the case, has also brought an equal number of challenges.
Donna Bergles, a 25-year relocation industry veteran, is Crown Canada’s National Director, Global Mobility Services (GMS). Donna is responsible for all aspects of the GMS business for Crown Canada including product development, training, service delivery and business development. She oversees a team of Account Managers and Mobility Consultants, delivering a wide range of domestic and international relocation services.
Crown was established in Canada in 1975. Today, four offices are spread across the country from Calgary in the West to Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal in the East. To read more about Canada, please click on one of the links below:
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