Recruitment and retention strategy to combat trend

Employers in Timmins and the surrounding region are putting expansion plans on hold because they can’t attract and retain enough employees, according to a new labour report.

Figures reported in Working Together, a local labour market plan issued by the Far Northeast Training Board (FNETB), indicate that 76.9 per cent of employers in the region are experiencing staffing issues.

The area serviced by the FNETB includes the communities along the Highway 11 corridor from Hearst to Latchford, east of Kirkland Lake and extends to the Québec border. It also includes the communities of Timmins, Chapleau, Gogama, Elk Lake, Hornepayne, and the communities in the James Bay area.

“If you take a walk throughout the business sections of the city or browse online career pages, you’ll notice endless help wanted ads and job postings,” said Julie Joncas, executive director of the FNETB, in an Oct. 1 news release.

To address these issues, the Timmins Economic Development Corp., the Employers Council and other partners are launching the Employer Recruitment and Retention Strategies Project, funded by the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC).

Jessica West, the project coordinator, will undertake outreach activities and work one on one with employers to develop best practices for recruitment and retention.

“This project encourages sustainable growth in our city by reinforcing that fact that Timmins is an attractive place to work and live,” Mike Resetar, co-chair of the Employers Council, said.

Reports, fact sheets and presentations will be available to help businesses strengthen and retain their workforce and encourage future expansions.

Project partners include NOHFC, FNETB, Employers Council, Timmins Chamber of Commerce, Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board, Northern College, Collège Boréal, Timmins and District Hospital, and Clearlogic Consulting Professionals.