The global economic downturn has swelled the ranks of job seekers but that doesn’t mean employers have had an easier time of it clinching the talent they need.
An international survey released Thursday indicates that persistent talent shortages continue to hobble employers’ growth plans, including those in Canada.
According to Manpower Canada’s fifth talent-shortage survey, 31 per cent of employers worldwide and 21 per cent of employers in Canada are experiencing problems filling key skilled positions.
Adding to the challenge is the growing need for ever-more specific skill sets, making it that much harder to find the right person.
“We are seeing a ‘jobless’ recovery in many parts of the world, yet where there are jobs available employers are having difficulty filling positions,” says Byrne Luft, vice-president of marketing for Manpower Canada, a human-resources consulting, career management and recruitment firm.
The global study surveyed more than 35,000 employers in 36 countries and territories during the first quarter of 2010. In Canada, there were 1,916 respondents.
Workers weld and moving pieces of iron at Valco factory on Windsor Ontario.
TOP 10 TOUGHEST JOBS TO FILL IN 36 COUNTRIES
1. Skilled trades
2. Sales reps
3. Technicians
4. Engineers
5. Accounting and finance staff
6. Production operators
7. Secretaries and office support staff
8. Management/executives
9. Drivers
10. Labourers
A roofer works on new homes in the Rocky Ridge nieghbourhood of Calgary.— Jeff McIntosh/THE GLOBE AND MAIL
TOP 10 TOUGHEST JOBS TO FILL IN CANADA
1. Skilled trades
2. Sales reps
3. Technicians
4. Drivers
5. Secretaries and office support staff
6. Engineers
7. Chefs/cooks
8. Mechanics
9. Nurses
10. Teachers
MOST PROBLEMATIC COUNTRIES
(Portion of employers having difficulty filling positions due to lack of talent)
1. Japan, 76 per cent
2. Brazil, 64 per cent
LEAST PROBLEMATIC COUNTRIES
1. Ireland, 4 per cent
2. Britain, 9 per cent
– Bertrand Marotte
