 |
|
Recruitment and Retention Issues
Addressed in Tourism Labour Shortage
Studies
The Canadian tourism
industry will be challenged with increasing
labour shortages, resulting in recruitment
and retention issues as the economy continues
to grow. The Canadian Tourism Commission is
projecting 3.5% to 5% growth rates for the
tourism industry over the next several years.
1998 Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council
tourism-related employment growth projections
indicated that 90,000 new jobs in tourism
could be created between 2002 and 2005 at a
2% growth rate. However, Canada's overall
labour force growth will decline from 1.4% to
0.4% by 2016. And, according to the
Conference Board of Canada, there will be a
shortfall of 950,000 workers in the Canadian
economy by 2020.
Tourism businesses are already finding it
more and more difficult to attract, hire and
retain qualified staff. The Canadian Tourism
Human Resource Council (CTHRC) commissioned a
study recently on labour shortages in the
accommodation and foodservice sectors. The
CTHRC study indicates that labour shortages
have increased substantially over the past
two years in most occupations, with this past
year proving to be particularly difficult. A
cook/chef position in the foodservice sector
is the most difficult to fill, with an
average 41-week recruitment time. Management
and supervisory positions in both the
foodservice and the accommodation sectors
have also been difficult to fill, with a
12-38 week average recruitment time.
Housekeepers, food & beverage servers and
front desk agents have an average 5-week
recruitment time.
Survey respondents suggested that shortages
were occurring because of a strengthening
economy, and a perception that other sectors
offer better opportunities. They indicated
that the situation could potentially be
remedied by better promoting the industry's
career opportunities, and by offering a more
competitive employment package.
The Tourism Industry Association of PEI is
conducting a similar analysis this fall. The
association will look at the breadth and
depth of the tourism labour shortage in that
province, who is impacted by it, and what can
be done to correct the situation.
The CTHRC will be working with its public
and private sector partners to find ways to
resolve what it believes will be a
continuing, and potentially deepening labour
shortage for the tourism industry. Attention
should be focused on recruitment and
retention strategies. Non-traditional labour
pools and public sector assistance for strong
transition programming, (e.g. the CTHRC's
"Ready-to-Work" recruitment and workplace
preparation program) will also be part of the
solution.
"CTHRC also encourages a greater emphasis on
training. Investing in employees will support
retention and enhance productivity. The
Council will continue to monitor the labour
supply/demand situation in the tourism
industry. Up-to-date supply/demand data will
also provide policy makers and the industry
with critical information in planning for
tourism human resource needs, " says Wendy
Swedlove, President of CTHRC.
The importance of tourism to the Canadian
economy cannot be over-emphasized.
Approximately 159,000 tourism-related
businesses in Canada employ over 1.5 million
individuals. The industry's ability to meet
these human resource challenges are critical
to its continued success.
For further information on either of the
Tourism Labour Studies contact YTEC at
867-667-4733.
|
|
 |
|
|
