Now hiring: business, labour looking at future worker shortage

BY NANCY KELLY

Kings County Register

The Western Kings Board of Trade recognized Small Business Week by hosting an October 17 presentation by Mark Parent, Nova Scotia's Minister of Environment and Labour and Workforce development.

Parent's appearance at the breakfast in Berwick also kicked-off his province-wide tour, focusing on a looming shortage of skilled workers, a prospect he says will be particularly challenging in rural parts of the province. "Nova Scotia employers - especially in rural areas - will face big challenges filling close to 45,000 jobs that will become available over the next five years," explained Parent.

He said the Valley's proximity to the HRM region will compound the issues of depopulation and out-migration, already issues for the province. "Valley employers will not only have to cope with the provincial trend to depopulation, they will also feel the pressure to compete with the draw from Halifax-Darthmouth area employers."

Parent pointed to statistics that show Nova Scotia, with one of the oldest populations in Canada, will see a four per cent drop in overall population - and a 70 per cent increase in seniors - by the year 2026. To prepare for this reality, government is working on a series of strategies to address the need for skilled workers in the future. "Now we know the challenges, what are we going to do about it?" asked Parent, who stressed the importance of “we.” "We can't do it alone. Positive change will only be realized through joint action between government, employers, business leaders and educational institutions.”

Among new government initiatives is the Bright Careers Future portal, linking people with growth areas and targeting youth so they don't have to leave their communities. "It provides information and tools so young people can make the choice to stay here rather than leave for work elsewhere," explained Parent, who pointed to the need for better career counselling for young people.

Government is also targeting older workers, helping them stay competitive in an evolving job market. "If people could delay their retirement by just two years, it would go a long way to solving the pending workforce problem."

For employers, the government is now piloting the Employer of Choice program to help them compete for workers. "Employers can no longer assume people will be knocking on their doors for jobs, and have to create a culture that makes them attractive to job seekers." said Parent of the reasons behind the program.

Parent agreed with board of trade president Linda Ramsay, who spoke up about an overall lack of work ethic in young people as a major issue for business owners. "There is definitely a malaise we have to deal with," said Parent, "but we have to realize this is a different generation, and we need to adapt."