|
|
Mike Liebenberg has been re-building a tractor engine in a new life after coming here with his family from Zambia. Liebenberg, who speaks both English and Njanja gave up his own business and home for this job so his three children will be able to attend post-secondary institutions. The 45 year old man began the paperwork to move to Canada after visiting in 2000 and finally arrived in September 2005. “Provost is such a friendly place, it’s amazing.” The coldest it gets in his native country is -12 degrees Celsius while in summer it reaches 38 degrees Celsius—and concedes he has “no idea” what -30 or -40 feels like . . . . I can’t imagine that.” This winter has been one of the warmest in memory here. ©Provost News Photo.
More in February 8 edition of The Provost News.
Want to Subscribe to The Provost News? Click here.
|
|
Help Wanted: Apply in Provost
Labour Shortage Causing Problems
Businesses from the Provost area are feeling labour problems as the Alberta economy heats up, luring some workers to mega tar sands projects or related work in the north and other centres.
The Alberta government meanwhile is predicting that the growing economy is expected to create close to 400,000 jobs in the next decade, but currently only about 300,000 new workers are expected to enter the labour market— leaving a shortfall that may be as high as 100,000 workers.
The Provost News talked to several people here who have been dealing with staffing shortfalls and how they are coping:
One firm has brought in a worker direct from Central Africa while another has been trying to bring in a cook from China.
Keith McElhinney at Wilmar Implement Co. Ltd. says that it has been “very, very difficult” to fill positions such as qualified mechanics and has just recently hired a 45 year old man from Zambia who is happy here but will still have to pass certain exams to stay in the country. McElhinney says if we can not get the local people to do the work, Canada should let others in by relaxing immigration rules while still maintaining standards including criminal checks. “There is a tremendous amount of paperwork and delays” at government levels and he adds that there are countries that have high unemployment and a highly skilled workforce. The farm dealership could still use one or two more mechanical workers. McElhinney just recently found a 1997 article that was warning of a looming labour crisis.
Rest of story in February 8 edition of The Provost News.
Want to Subscribe to The Provost News? Click here.
|
