Kamloops event showing employers how to recruit, retain staff | iNFOnews

September 14, 2022 – 6:00 am

Employers in Kamloops and the surrounding area may not want to miss an upcoming opportunity designed to help them recruit and retain staff.

A packed, interactive networking and information-sharing day for employers is scheduled for September 27 at Thompson Rivers University.

“This event is in response to the current staffing shortage and a work landscape that has drastically changed as a result of the global pandemic and other factors,” said Jordyn Jeffrey, WorkBC’s marketing coordinator for Kamloops-Thompson.

“We hope that as many employers as possible will attend the event as this is our first major in-person event since the pandemic began and we are delighted to see everyone there.”

The 2022 Workforce Conference and Job Fair offers lively, knowledgeable panels, useful resources, networking opportunities and insights into the local workforce. The schedule is packed with events and includes breakfast and lunch.

At a time when many industries are struggling with labor shortages, it’s all about recruiting and retention.

“We understand that the pandemic and current labor shortages have been difficult for companies and recruitment has not been easy,” Jeffrey said. “With the province reopening, there has been a sharp increase in demand for hospitality, service and retail, and healthcare jobs.

“We want to support both employers and job seekers at all levels and in all sectors.”

WorkBC is a provincial government employment service that brings together employers and job seekers, and while most are familiar with the task of finding a job, Jeffrey says many people are unaware that the organization also guides employers.

She said Kamloops has a diversified economy with long-established companies, new startups, some large employers with over 1,000 employees, and many small and medium-sized businesses.

Kamloops’ primary industries include transportation and logistics, healthcare, forestry, construction and manufacturing, agriculture, retail and mining.

“These industries have a lot of employees, but unfortunately the lack of staff is currently affecting everyone and we are trying to change that.”

CONTINUE READING: Thompson-Okanagan’s Worst Labor Shortage Is Behind Us: Economist

Jeffrey said it’s currently a job seeker’s paradise and it’s difficult to pinpoint a specific reason for staff retention issues.

“Since the pandemic, people have been making different choices in terms of the type of work they want to do,” she said. “People are looking for more work-life balance, which means something different for everyone. People start jobs fairly quickly for a variety of reasons and move on to other jobs fairly quickly.

“Restaurants, tourism and the healthcare industry have still not recovered from the pandemic, many employees are suffering from burnout and are looking for other opportunities. Mental health issues have also increased and we’ve seen this more and more frequently since the pandemic.”

The event is open to everyone in the community and is hosted by WorkBC, Venture Kamloops and the Kamloops and District Chamber of Commerce.

“All of our WorkBC clients receive information about which employers will be in attendance, along with resume and interview preparation,” Jeffrey said. “We’d love to see that result in some job placements and success stories for everyone involved.”

According to Jeffrey, employers can get help accessing provincial and federal funds through wage subsidies to offset hiring costs when an employer hires suitable candidates.

“Capturing the untapped labor market will help employers recruit and retain by hiring inclusively, whether they want to attract more women, youth, indigenous workers, newcomers, people with disabilities, or members of other diverse groups.”

CONTINUE READING: Young workers have lessons for their bosses in Kamloops, Okanagan

The conference and expo will be held from 7:45 am to 3:00 pm on the second floor of the university’s Grand Hall at 1055 University Drive.

The day includes a keynote presentation on the job outlook and what it means for Kamloops and the district.

For the full itinerary and to reserve a seat, please register here.

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