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Now more than ever, employers have found themselves facing a shortage of employees. COVID-19 has fundamentally impacted the acquisition and retention of a skilled labour force across multiple sectors. More than a year of restrictions on business activities and employment instability have prompted workers to seek alternative career opportunities. According to the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario, in 2020 nearly 70 percent of the job losses among Ontario’s core-age workers, those aged 25 to 54 years old, were concentrated in accommodation and food services, transportation and warehousing, other services, and health care and social assistance. This is particularly notable for Orangeville, as the Town’s 2019 – 2020 Economic Development & Culture Report revealed that the highest local job concentrations exist among the retail trade, accommodation and food services, health care and social assistance, and manufacturing. Many of these industries are struggling with labour shortages.

What does this mean for Orangeville businesses? As the Canadian economy begins to rebound local companies may find themselves facing hiring obstacles. Fortunately, within Dufferin County there are several employment resources and programs available to employers.  

Georgian College/Centre for Career and Employment Community Services
Georgian College in Orangeville operates the Centre for Career and Employment Community Services (CCECS). Employers can receive support in identifying human resources needs, gain access to job postings and candidate matching services, training incentives, as well as information and referrals to vital local programs. These services are available free of cost to businesses that meet the eligibility criteria. Locally, the CCECS also delivers the federally funded Canada-Ontario Job Grant, a program that offers financial support to small, medium, and large businesses with a plan to invest in short-term training for existing and new employees. Employers can receive up to $10,000 per employee for skill upgrades delivered by an eligible third-party trainer. Learn more at www.georgiancollege.ca/community-alumni/centre-for-career-and-employment-services/.

The Coalition for Persons with Disabilities
The Coalition provides free recruitment and job matching services to businesses. Based in Orangeville, employers have access to qualified participants with self-disclosed disabilities as well as support in the form of wage subsidies and assistance in creating an accessible environment for potential employees. The Coalition for Persons with Disabilities can be accessed online at www.disabilityaccess.org.

FindYourJob.ca
Findyourjob.ca is a free online job portal that compiles postings from federal, provincial, and local job boards. The website offers employers access to excellent local labour market information that includes the skills, educational requirements, and median salaries for local employment opportunities. This information could be vital to employers who are looking to understand the local business environment and build competitive compensation plans. The site also picks up job postings from other platforms such as Indeed and posts them to the appropriate community – providing yet another way to get available positions promoted. Visit www.findyourjob.ca

Dufferin Board of Trade (DBOT)
The Dufferin Board of Trade’s mandate is to support and empower local businesses. In addition to providing COVID resources for members, DBOT also offers a job board where employers can post vacancies. To register employment opportunities in your business, visit https://dufferinbot.ca/.

Federal Recovery Programs
Federally, funding opportunities may be available to employers through the Canada Recovery Hiring Program and the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Program. These time-limited programs offer subsidies to qualifying companies being impacted by the pandemic. The programs can enable business owners to retain or hire the workers they need as the economy continues to reopen. The Canada Recovery Hiring Program, which began accepting applications on July 7, offers eligible employers a subsidy of up to 50 percent towards payroll expenses related to hiring staff, increasing shifts, or increasing overall wages. To learn more about eligibility for these supports, visit www.canada.ca/en/services/business/maintaining-your-business.html.

As restrictions continue to be rolled back and economic growth gains momentum, labour shortages are being identified by a number of local businesses. The Town of Orangeville’s Economic Development & Culture/SBEC office is available to support our community during COVID-19 with expert advice and guidance on the various programs and supports for your business. Find more information online at www.orangeville.ca/covid19-business/ or contact us at 519-941-0440 Ext. 2286.