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Half of entrepreneurs in Western Canada say they are forgoing
business opportunities
A new report from the Canadian Federation of Independent
Business (CFIB) shows a serious shortage of qualified people is impeding the
growth and success of small and medium-sized businesses in Western Canada. Most
notably, half of the entrepreneurs in the West say they are giving up business
opportunities as a result of the shortage of labour and skills.
“In British Columbia, 72 per
cent of small business owners who were looking to hire within the last three
years say they had difficulty, while 34 per cent believe finding new employees
is only going to become more difficult,” said Mike Klassen, CFIB’s BC Director.
As a result of a shortage of
qualified people, more than half (51 per cent) of small and medium-sized
businesses in the Western provinces and territories have had to pass up new
business opportunities. Business owners also say the labour shortage means they
are working longer hours (71 per cent) and is causing increased labour costs (59
per cent), reduced productivity (53 per cent), and deteriorating customer
service (48 per cent).
The report also reveals
certain positions are particularly difficult to fill. Small businesses have the
most difficulty hiring for skilled and technical positions that usually require
a college education or apprenticeship training (43 per cent). In contrast, only
five per cent say they have the most difficulty hiring for professional
positions that typically require a university education.
The top 10 types of
employees small and medium-sized businesses are looking for include:
salespeople, construction workers, auto mechanics, service staff, general
labourers, truck drivers, service technicians, welders, office staff and general
managers.
“In British Columbia, 62 per
cent of entrepreneurs are hiring underqualified workers, 49 per cent are
forgoing new business opportunities, 42 per cent are increasing salaries and
benefits, 28 per cent are investing even more in training, and 17 per cent are
recruiting outside of Canada,” Klassen added.
“There is no silver bullet
solution to solving this significant and growing challenge. Policy-makers have
begun to respond, but much more needs to be done to help employers find the
qualified people they need to build their business and grow our economy,”
Klassen ended.
Seeing as the capitalist system means getting the cheapest production for the lowest price and selling at the highest price, perhaps small businesses should be willing to train workers. That's how it worked in the past.
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