Nearly two-thirds of private firms see labour as primary challenge in 2008
The growing shortage of qualified workers in Canada is forcing private companies to work harder to get the right people in the right jobs, and place a higher priority on keeping them, according PricewaterhouseCoopers.
The consulting firm's most recent Business Insights report, which surveyed 420 private companies in Canada, found 61 per cent of them see labour as their primary challenge in 2008.
"As baby boomers retire, there are not enough young workers available to fill the void," said Don Edmonds, PwC's private companies services leader in the audit and assurance group in Toronto.
"Employees know they are in demand, and private companies need to come up with creative ways to attract and keep them. On a positive note, our research shows that in 2007, 85 per cent of private companies increased their focus on retention."
There are steps private companies can take to attract and retain the right people, but it's not enough to through money at people, especially in Western Canada where wages are already above average, said Ian Gunn, partner and leader of PwC's private company services in Calgary.
"Private companies need a consistent, systematic approach for creating conditions to attract qualified employees and to work with them to keep them engaged," he said.
Edmonds and Gunn suggest that private companies develop a strategy to attract and retain employees. Some examples include:
• Hire right. Have a very clear understanding of your culture and the type of people who best fit
• Be clear with expectations. Companies that score high on employee satisfaction, have regular, formalized feedback processes in place
• Be flexible. Flexible work arrangements including shorter work weeks and telecommuting are a business reality
• Share the growth of the company. Go beyond cash bonuses-create a phantom stock plan, or allow employees to participate in the ownership of the company
• Listen to your people. Create an environment that allows employees to enjoy what they do and to do what they do best
The consulting firm's most recent Business Insights report, which surveyed 420 private companies in Canada, found 61 per cent of them see labour as their primary challenge in 2008.
"As baby boomers retire, there are not enough young workers available to fill the void," said Don Edmonds, PwC's private companies services leader in the audit and assurance group in Toronto.
"Employees know they are in demand, and private companies need to come up with creative ways to attract and keep them. On a positive note, our research shows that in 2007, 85 per cent of private companies increased their focus on retention."
There are steps private companies can take to attract and retain the right people, but it's not enough to through money at people, especially in Western Canada where wages are already above average, said Ian Gunn, partner and leader of PwC's private company services in Calgary.
"Private companies need a consistent, systematic approach for creating conditions to attract qualified employees and to work with them to keep them engaged," he said.
Edmonds and Gunn suggest that private companies develop a strategy to attract and retain employees. Some examples include:
• Hire right. Have a very clear understanding of your culture and the type of people who best fit
• Be clear with expectations. Companies that score high on employee satisfaction, have regular, formalized feedback processes in place
• Be flexible. Flexible work arrangements including shorter work weeks and telecommuting are a business reality
• Share the growth of the company. Go beyond cash bonuses-create a phantom stock plan, or allow employees to participate in the ownership of the company
• Listen to your people. Create an environment that allows employees to enjoy what they do and to do what they do best
