Where have all the workers gone? That question is something of a new mantra being repeated by members of the business community these days.
While most provinces have seen employment return to their pre-pandemic levels, there is far more demand for workers than we saw prior to the arrival of COVID-19 and that has left many scrambling to find personnel to fill vacant positions.
This story has many twists and kinks. For example, nationally, there are fewer hospitality businesses operating than in 2020 when the pandemic got rolling. Yet, even with fewer employers and businesses scrambling to catch up on all that lost business, they still have hired more workers than the industry had pre-COVID-19. So, more people working in fewer establishments.
We’re seeing entire sectors setting records for job vacancies right now. Included among them are construction at the top of the list, scientific and professional categories, arts and hospitality.
Here in Saskatchewan, our vacancy rate is better than most, but, at roughly five per cent of all positions going unfilled, it is still a challenge for companies looking to meet customer demands.
