More help wanted: Staffing shortages showing up in unexpected places
More help wanted: Staffing shortages showing up in unexpected places
These continue to be golden times for job seekers in the Maritimes as the unemployment rate remains very low, and worker shortages are showing up in some unexpected places.
With the heat of the summer building-in, you don't have to look far to find construction workers in Halifax these days - yet there technically aren't enough of them.
With a stunning number of major projects in various stages, there's plenty of jobs available, but a shortage of people to fill them.
"Like every industry, we're really facing it because we need people out building," said President & CEO of the Construction Association of Nova Scotia, Duncan Williams.
Williams said it's essentially a perfect storm - a post-pandemic exodus into retirement for veteran workers, an ongoing shortage of young people entering the trades, and an explosion of new projects.
While there are few reports of projects being delayed or cancelled, timelines have gotten more flexible, he said.
A generations of Maritimers who've 'gone down the road' for work are now being urged to come home.
"So, going to Alberta may be still attractive to some people, but there's a message there, that there is an opportunity for you to stay here, work here, live here, raise a family here in Nova Scotia. And come home," said Williams.
The latest numbers from Statistics Canada indicate the national jobless rate is hovering just above five per-cent, with the Maritime provinces coming-in at six (N.S.), seven (N.B.) and 8.1 (P.E.I).
It's a sharp turnaround from a rate of more than 13 per cent when the pandemic shut everything down.
And the shortage is impacting any number of sectors.
The devastated hospitality industry has complained for months about staffing shortages, and officials admit things haven't gotten much better.
But labour shortages are also showing-up in some unexpected places.
Patrons using the Halifax ferry Sunday wound up on buses after service was suspended because of issues with "staff availability", according to the city.
"This was not related to the municipality's COVID-19 service impacts," said Ryan Nearing, a HRM Public Affairs Advisor, via email.
"The municipality apologizes for the inconvenience this disruption caused passengers."
The union, though, is blunter about the problem.
"They are short manpower, and they've been bringing a lot of people in on overtime shifts, and I think we're just generally getting a burnout," said Shane O'Leary, President of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 508.
Add in 'sick' and 'vacation' days, along with significant training sessions, and you've got a chronic problem, he says.
"It's a manpower issue, and there's very few ways to solve that, other than better wages and better work," said O'Leary
A weighty problem being faced by more and more sectors around here - lots of help wanted, and a shortage of people willing to take the jobs.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa convoy organizer Tamara Lich arrested in Alberta for alleged breach of bail conditions
Tamara Lich, one of the organizers of the Freedom Convoy, has been arrested in Alberta for alleged breach of bail conditions, CTV News has learned.

Child dies after being left in hot car while mother taught at Ontario high school, mayor says
An Ontario community is reeling after a 23-month-old boy died when he was accidentally left in a hot car outside the school where his mother taught, the mayor says.
G7 leaders wrap up summit meant to bolster Ukraine support
The Group of Seven on Tuesday was wrapping up a summit intended to send a strong signal of long-term commitment to Ukraine's future, ensuring that Russia pays a higher price for its invasion while also attempting to alleviate a global hunger crisis and show unity against climate change.
Woman trampled, killed by horses at central Alberta rodeo: RCMP
A 30-year-old woman is dead after falling off a horse at the Ponoka Stampede on Sunday.
46 migrants found dead in abandoned trailer in San Antonio
Forty-six people were found dead after being abandoned in a tractor-trailer on a remote back road in San Antonio in the latest tragedy to claim the lives of migrants smuggled across the border from Mexico to the U.S. Sixteen people were hospitalized, including four children.
Deadly and contagious rabbit virus detected in Ontario for first time
A highly contagious and deadly virus that affects rabbits and hares has been detected in Ontario for the first time.
3 killed, dozens hurt in Amtrak train crash in Missouri
An Amtrak passenger train traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago struck a dump truck Monday in a remote area of Missouri, killing three people and injuring dozens more as rail cars tumbled off the tracks and landed on their sides, officials said.
Passport lines persist as urgent travellers get priority
As long lines persist, Canadians travelling in the next 24 to 48 hours are being given priority at some passport offices.
As COVID-19 fears ebb, Japan readies for tourists from abroad
Japan is bracing for a return of tourists from abroad after the island nation's border controls to curb the spread of coronavirus infections began gradually loosening earlier this month.