b'PRESIDENTS MESSAGERETHINKING RECRUITMENTDARRAN LIGHT RCABC President M y presidents message for this issue isWe are starting to see legislation in Canada and about a concern that has been plaguingabroad restricting the times of day an employer can industries (including roofing) for a longcontact their employees. It appears being attached to while: the shortage of skilled workers.devices 24/7 has come full circle, and a separation EmploymentandSocialDevelopmentCanadabetween work and home life is becoming a priority. recently stated that as we recover from COVID-19,For example, certain countries in Europe have made the demand for skilled tradespeople is increasing,it illegal for companies to contact employees when andmorethan700,000skilledworkersarethey are on vacation.expected to retire between 2019 and 2028. This is a serious problem. Anotheraspectofrecruitmentbeingempha-Higherretirementratesduringthepandemic,sized is an effort to target demographics that are changingdemographicsandnewemploymentunderrepresentedinthetrades,suchaswomen, opportunities(e.g.,Amazon)aredrawingpeopleIndigenous people and new immigrants. We have awayfromtraditionalcareers.Thelong-termpersonallyhadsuccessintheseareaswithinour response to this labour crisis includes partnershipscompanys recruitment efforts.between industries, governments and educators toInflationisanotherissuewearehavingto specifically attract workers into skilled trade appren- deal with in both our business and personal lives. ticeship programs. Though we have seen inflation ease in the last year, So, what can RCABC members do in the shortwe are still wrestling with higher roofing material term about this matter? My answer is to rethinkprices as well as rising food costs. I know that, at recruitment. As employers, we have to understandsomepoint,priceswillreturnclosertopre-pan-that the worker pool is shrinking, and the younger generationhasdifferentcareerexpectationsdemic levels. Unfortunately, at this point, there is no thanwedidwhenourgenerationstartedinthesign of inflationary pressures receding in the near roofing industry. future, so we will simply have to ride out the storm.As the labour pool shrinks, the hiring pendulumInclosing,IthinktherearethingsRCABC swingsmoreandmoretowardsthepotentialmemberscandotoaddresstherecruitmentof employee. It is vital for successful recruitment thatskilled and administrative workers in their individual the approach you use stands out from other compa- companies.RCABCwillalsobelookingatthe nies vying for new hires. Most importantly, we needbigger picture of the labour shortage with govern-to dispel the typical stigma of the trades by high- mentsandeducators,andtogether,wecanhave lighting the modern aspects of the job, includingimpact on this issue for the roofing industry in B.C. technology and the skills involved in the work.The younger generation is not simply focusedIencourageyoutoshareyourthoughtsand onthesalaryandbenefitsofaposition.Thisideas with me (darran@laingroofing.com) and the newgenerationislookingforamoreroundedRCABC staff.lifestylewithagoodbalancebetweenworkand their personal lives and family. Having a job thatYours sincerely, routinely uses up a considerable amount of time beyond the normal work day is not desirable to theDarran Light younger generation. RCABC President6 lROOFINGBClSUMMER 2023'