By Derek Sankey, the Province | Link to Article
Despite changes made to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) in late 2013, it’s clear the need to tap into that labour supply remains strong, and nowhere is that more clear than in the labour-starved Calgary market.
By Derek Sankey, the Province | Link to Article
Despite changes made to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) in late 2013, it’s clear the need to tap into that labour supply remains strong, and nowhere is that more clear than in the labour-starved Calgary market.
“When you look at the types of jobs we are looking for in this city, it’s across a wide range of sectors from hospitality … to medical services … to an engineer to a project manager to a lawyer,” says Mary Moran, vice-president of marketing, communications and research for Calgary Economic Development (CED).
The program has been a hot topic of debate across Canada, including the recent changes, but it has been proven especially relevant in Calgary and Alberta.
“It (TFWP) has been effective,” says Moran. “We need to work locally first (to) provide opportunities for all Calgarians.”
Companies are now required to do more extensive searches for local and Canadian talent, including longer and broader searches – something Richard Truscott, Alberta regional director for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), says can hamper small business in particular.
“Yes, there is a need to tighten the program for those that attempt to misuse the program … but in the meantime, what they’ve done is seriously impaired the ability for small firms to use the program in a legitimate way to find qualified people to work in their business,” said Truscott.
The unemployment rate in Calgary is 4.7 per cent, compared to about 7.0 per cent nationally.
Read more http://www.theprovince.com/jobs/Need+foreign+workers+still+strong/9708839/story.html