The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

HB NEWS HALTON BUSINESSES FACE HIRING SQUEEZE DIFFICULTIES CONTINUE FILLING MANY POSITIONS BAMBANG SADEWO bsadewo@metroland.com The following is the final instalment in a three-part series on the Halton job market, with this week's sto- ry focusing on the challeng- es facing local employers. The pandemic burnout is causing some to weigh their career options more carefully. In Halton Hills — and the region at large — this has contributed to “a fight” for talent. “A lot of businesses are looking for employees, but finding the right fit for spe- cialized and niche posi- tions is a little more diffi- cult than normal, " a Le naee Dupui: source consultant with HR de EZ. Dupuis, whose consult- ing firm serves clients in Halton and across the GTA, said many people are "re- valuating their work and life tor mea " alary § expectations are 8 bit higher right now. With the COVID (lock- down) period, a lot of peo- ple were able to work re- motely and, I think, they want to remain working re- motely," she said, while noting it is dependent on the job sectors. icott McCammon, pres- ident and CEO of Milton Chamber of Commerce, has a similar take. nm linei is, hiring is a challenge," he said, Sinich he put down to the region's low unemploy- ment rate people moving and switching careers, and those ae re-entering the workforce as quickly. "The competition for staff is probably a lot higher than larly in the case of manu- facturing, warehousing, companies have to get cre- ative in dealing with lower staffing levels and in the they recruit, compen- sate and retain employees weirh there retail and hospi- tality in lustry facing on ore the ees obstacles, he aria ti h cate Graham Paine/Metroland Lenaee Dupuis, a consultant with HR Made EZ, has found more and more people are be- cause of the roller-coaster of changes in terms of Ct VID protocols. One day they're open, the next day they're closed. So it makes it very difficult to retain their career choices. “| think we're going to embrace a new way of working." it's been in a few years." staff when you can't prom- As for the desireforflex- ise that they've got a cer- ible work a tain return-t ‘k date," Maureen Klotz, senior recent labour market hesaid. human vesouress manager study by Peel Halton Work- To hire and retain work- with the shipping supply force Group, — ers,h firm, said despite the com- whch surveyed 700 em- general — have to change petitive labour market, it ployers across the GTA —__ the way they do > things. grew its North American including 62 in Oakville, 56 s increas- workforce by 16 per cent in Milton, 52 in Burlington, ne the pay scales orchang- last year with 2,200 new and 17 in Halton Hills — offering y 128 of those in showed around one third of employers expect that em- ployees will work from home 80 to 70 per cent of the time. But McCammon said many of the open positions being recruited can't ac- commodate those, particu- more benefits or bonuses, and retraining and up-: ling employees to create promotion opportunities to entice workers to stay. When it comes to suc- cess stories, Uline is one or- ganization able to surpass its hiring goal in 2021. its sede Halton ware- house. “Our successes have re- ally hinged on several im- portant factors — dedicat- reach a broader base of po- tential employees and con- - HR consultant Lenaee Dupuis tinuing to offer industry- leading benefits," she said in an email. In some industries, Du- puis, the business consul- tant, said she has seen com com- panies moving to ited paid time off whey that comes with greater re- sponsibility autonomy. “How you do your work is your prerogative, just as We combine the ability to customize your search with the latest mapping technology, demographics and a REALTOR Directory. Giving you the valuable Real Estate information you need to make informed decisions. HomeFinder.ca — helping YOU to“Find a ” place to call home”! @HomeFinder.ca long as you get your work done," she sai With no foreseeable end in sight to the pandemic, Dupuis believes people will continue to take inventory of what works for them in their work environment. 'I think we're going to embrace a new way of working," she said. STORY BEHIND THE STORY: With competition for talent continuing to heat up, we asked local business stakeholders on the state of the hiring mar- ket in Halton. ‘SCAN THESE CODES for Parts 1 and 2 in this series. UONEH - dl UL | 2 202 ‘22 Avenuer ‘epsinys. | eordyeuy