When you drive around Yorkton it's not that difficult to find 'Help Wanted' signs hanging in the windows of local business.
That has pretty well been the norm for the last year, or longer, a situation which suggests a general shortage of people to fill positions. The lack of people is a result of numerous factors, ranging from the competitive job market, wages which may not be high enough to attract people, sheer worker numbers, and the level of training would be employees have.
When it comes to high skilled jobs, the situation moving forward, especially in some job areas is critical.
In Yorkton certain trades-areas have seen apparent shortages for some time, a situation made worse by the flood this summer. It has been a wait on a rather long list if one has needed a plumber, or electrician since back in 2009.
There are of course other industry areas which are facing the same situation. We hear of expected employee shortages in various job areas in the mining sector in the years ahead, a situation being faced in the local region with the importance of the potash sector.
It is great that we all look forward to the prospect of Agrium or BHP Billiton forging ahead with a new mine south of Yorkton, but those companies would still require staffs of 500-plus, many of those requiring particular skills. The question is increasingly where those people will come from.
The situation is significant enough that the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce has announced intentions to focus on it by establishing a new task force.
The Labour Market Task Force will build on the work of the Labour Market Commission, an effort that was wound down by the provincial government in 2009 due to budgetary constraints. The group is expected to bring together industry groups, business, labour, post-secondary and government representatives to look for ways to collectively address staff shortages.
It's an admirable goal, although in general terms there are a few solutions which are so obvious it doesn't require a task force to find.
Wages attract people, something local businesses are learning as the canola crushing plants have helped pushed wages higher as some businesses move to hold onto staff.
We need more people. Immigration, whether from within Canada, or the rest of the world, will be crucial.
And, there is a need for career education, especially to fill skilled positions.
That is where government plays a critical role ensuring affordable post secondary tech training options.
It is also where a facility, such as the planned expansion to the Parkland College are going to be critical moving forward. The ability of a local college to create and deliver programming to meet local jobs needs has to be an integral part of any plan looking to improve the employee situation moving forward.
