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By rdnewsNOW Staff

Local Business Challenges

Red Deer Chamber survey results echo frustrations with labour shortage

Oct 26, 2022 | 1:00 PM

A recent Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce survey reveals the majority of local businesses are currently experiencing a moderate to significant labour shortage.

On September 29th, the Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce issued a Labour Market Survey in response to perceived labour shortages experienced by the business community in Red Deer and region.

According to Chamber officials, respondents were asked to rank and identify labour and market issues as they relate to business operations. High operating costs due to inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues were determined to have the highest impact on businesses.

Based on the survey results, 60 per cent of businesses are experiencing a moderate to significant labour shortage, with an overall 82 per cent of businesses experiencing a labour shortage on some level.

Additionally, the Chamber identified the top three hiring barriers for businesses as follows:

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• Skills and Experience (73%)
• Small Hiring Pool (56%)
• Real v. Expected Wages (44%)

The Chamber says results also showed there is a particular shortage in front line and skilled labour markets, and the lack of access to these job markets varies.

In the next 12 months, say Chamber officials, just over half of businesses are expecting growth, with 51 per cent of respondents projecting their business will expand. Corresponding to which, 44 per cent expect business to remain the same, and 4.5 per cent predicting their businesses will contract.

“We are concerned about the labour issues and challenges facing our businesses, as we know this is a drag on economic growth and business health in our community,” states Scott Robinson, CEO, Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce. “We at the Chamber are working to assist businesses in these challenging times, including working with Chambers across Canada in advocating for policies to increase labour mobility, immigration, and international student worker flexibility. Provincially, we are advocating for more support through Alberta Jobs & Employment for additional resources to support employment-based initiatives.”

“We are working in partnership with Central Alberta Economic Partnership and Community Futures on a Labour Strategies Summit to be in March 2023,” adds Robinson. “The Chamber will continue to work on networking events to bring employers together to share ideas, success stories and best practices from leaders in the Community amongst their peers.”