DUNCAN – Economic Development Cowichan has launched the Cowichan Employer Resource Guide, a repository of tools and strategies to assist local businesses in addressing challenges stemming from labour shortages.
In August 2021, RBC Economist Carrie Freestone reported a record high national job vacancy rate of 5 per cent, with BC leading the provinces with a 6 per cent job vacancy rate. As a result, businesses across the country are struggling to find and retain workers.
More information on Canada’s labour shortage can be found on the Economic Development Cowichan blog. “Labour has emerged as a key area of concern for Cowichan businesses as operations resume following the COVID-19 shutdown,” said Aaron Stone, Chair of the Cowichan Valley Regional District. “While the pandemic has certainly worsened the situation, our aging population means this trend will be long-term and businesses will need strategies to adapt.”
The Cowichan Employer Resource Guide will provide an overview of tools that may help businesses adjust to the labour shortage, such as workforce diversity, the living wage, and automation. The Guide will be updated regularly with new information and resources.
In addition, topics will be explored further in the Economic Development Cowichan blog over the coming weeks, with examples of how each strategy has been used to create success in the workplace. Economic Development Cowichan would like to acknowledge the support and contributions of our local chambers of commerce, business improvement associations, and tourism partners in the development of the Guide.
“Big thanks to Economic Development Cowichan for taking the lead in developing a resource guide for Cowichan employers,” said Duncan Cowichan Chamber President Julie Scurr. “We are very pleased to partner on this project, which is designed to support local businesses with understanding wage subsidies, recruitment and retention strategies, and more.”
The Cowichan Employer Resource Guide is available to view and download on the Economic Development Cowichan website at www.ecdevcowichan.com.