Employers across Canada are having trouble finding the right workers to fill their job openings, according to a new survey, and in Richmond the crunch is particularly being felt in manufacturing and light industrial work.
Manpower Group released its annual Talent Shortage Survey Monday, and it found 41 per cent of employers Canada-wide reported difficulty filling jobs. The workforce solutions firm says the talent shortage hasn’t been this bad since 2006.
Richard Plumb, branch manager for Manpower Group’s Vancouver office, said the fields in Richmond and Delta that have the most trouble are manufacturing, light industry and wharehousing.
He’s also seen a demand for workers in office administration.
“Employers are having trouble getting candidates to apply, commit to the interview and then last through their probation period,” he said.
The Lower Mainland industries have the most trouble filling entry-level positions, he said. He thinks it could be in part because of the high cost of living.
“Twelve or $13 an hour used to be the standard. Now needs to be $15 or $16,” he said.
Country-wide, skilled trades were the hardest jobs to fill followed by sales representatives and drivers.
