10 Tips on How to Manage Labour Shortage in Canada

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Sharing the tips for managing labour shortages in Canada. Learn how to recruit, retain, train, and leverage automation to continue outwitting our competitors.
Scarcity of labour remains a challenge many companies in Canada face as we approach the Year 2025. The situation is compounded by the fact that while birth rates are declining and the elderly population is growing, corporations will continue to have a tough time attracting qualified talent in Canada.
The government of Canada is reporting that the nation experienced more than 900,000 job vacancies at the beginning of 2023, and it has continued through to the year 2024. The research has highlighted that skill shortages are affecting healthcare, manufacturing, construction, and technology sectors. It makes the enterprises need to adapt and search for ways to settle this drawback to establish competitiveness.
The following ten tips can assist in managing labour shortages in Canada:
1. Embrace Automation and AI
Markets are also changing because of automation and Artificial Intelligence. These instruments help perform repetitive work, keep labour expenses low, and enhance production in various ways. The report provided by Deloitte explains that across Canada, AI implementation is increasing, and 35% of firms are planning to invest in automation technologies. The incorporation of AI enables organizations to reduce measures that require the use of labour and increase efficiency.
2. Invest in Employee Retention

It is almost impossible to find another thing that is as effective as the skill to retain employees, particularly when there are few employees in the organization. It costs more money to acquire new employees than the cost of retaining the same employees. These measures include โ€˜perksโ€™ in addition to wages and or salaries combined with exciting plus potential job features. According to the Conference Board of Canada, such measures enhance the possibility of working remotely and having flexible hours, which can help companies achieve a 70% lower employee turnover.

3. Upskill and Reskill Workers
Business entities are required to show a commitment to each type of upskilling and reskilling program. Because of the rapid advance in technology, the BDC predicts that up skilled staffing will require 50 percent new training by the year 2025. The general outcome that is achieved by the application of tailored training is correction of employees โ€˜conduct, sharpening of their skills as well as general higher productivity and input.
4. Leverage the Gig Economy
Thanks to the gig economy, temporary and freelance talent is now accessible to businesses. In 2023, 13% of staff in Canada were gig workers. Both Upwork and Fiverr make the job-based hiring of freelance talent possible. This kind of flexibility allows organizations to effectively tackle their serious staffing issues without making enforceable commitments for considerable time.
5. Attract International Talent
The ultimate solution to the labour shortage problem lies in large measure in immigration. More than 437,000 new immigrants were admitted to Canada in 2022, and many of them filled important vacancies in the labour market. It is suggested that companies should recruit international skills with the help of the TFWP or adopt the GTS programs. They allow firms to attract talented employees from other nations of the world.
6. Implement Employee Referral Programs

Employee referral programs can provide quality new talent. Workers are more inclined to introduce candidates who match the organization’s culture. From LinkedIn data analysis, we know that candidates who come via referrals are not only 55% quicker to hire but also have longer tenures compared to other applicants. Enhancing the number of candidates through hiring requires the provision of incentives for employee availability.

7. Offer Competitive Compensation Packages

Retaining and recruiting employees demands that we offer enticing salaries and a selection of benefits. To cope with rising inflation, Canada saw its average pay per hour soar by 5.2% last year. Added advantages for health, retirement plans, and bonuses can improve your businessโ€™ attractiveness to those searching for jobs.

8. Create a Positive Work Culture

In times of stress, organizations that are both adaptable and offer support tend to pull in talent and reinforce employee fidelity. Glassdoor found that 77% of individuals who seek jobs take into account a companyโ€™s culture before they apply. By nurturing a calm work environment, paying attention to their achievements, and granting them space to articulate their ideas, there is a chance that both their happiness and retention may improve.

9. Collaborate with Educational Institutions

Engaging with colleges and universities allows for the creation of a system that eases business connections to a fresh talent pipeline. Activities geared towards collaboration, alongside applied internships and apprenticeships, give students a platform to develop significant experiential skills and give organizations a way to gauge candidate aptitude. According to the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum, organizations that feature apprenticeship programs hold onto 90% of their apprentices afterwards.

10. Adopt Flexible Work Arrangements
Your firm can become more attractive in the job market by offering a variety of flexible work options, especially remote work, hybrid scheduling, and flexible hours. Forty percent of workers in Canada prefer hybrid or entirely remote work. Employing these models could allow firms to boost their capability to involve a wider range of people, particularly those caring for someone or located far away.
Conclusion

Despite labour shortages in Canada throughout 2024, organizations can meet these challenges by applying strategies that draw in and keep talent while also developing their skills. Institutions can achieve headway in labour matters and sustain market competitiveness through the application of automation, cultivating international talent, and creating flexible work environments that support. With the proper funding for workforce development and technology, businesses can confront workforce issues and take a dominant position in the emerging Canadian economy.

These ten tips will allow businesses to address the longstanding labour shortages in Canada more adequately. Overcoming the forthcoming challenges will rely strongly on the ability to innovate, generate innovative ideas, and ensure the happiness of employees.

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