It’s tough times for both job seekers and organizations, especially those within healthcare and manufacturing industries.
Leah Stumpf, is a project coordinator with the Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo, Wellington and Dufferin (WPB), an organization which helps local workforce development.
She says they’re seeing a large need for workers in healthcare and manufacturing within the area, along with a growing need in construction.
“It’s trying times for a lot of people across the board, not only for job seekers, but also for businesses as well,” said Stumpf about the current trends.
As a result, the local Workforce Planning Board will be holding a virtual job fair to help bridge the gap between the two groups called the FindYourJob.ca Virtual Job Fair. It will feature employers from across Waterloo, Wellington and Dufferin region and will run on March 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“There’s definitely hundreds of different positions available,” said Stumpf about the event, “ But primarily it’s manufacturing and healthcare who are very heavy into this, and we are seeing construction come into this as well.”
Stumpf, who has over 10 years of HR experience, says this event is a great way for organizations and workers to connect during the pandemic.
“This is not only a great way for job seekers to engage with a number of employers for free, but it allows the employer to sign up and recruit in a cost effective manner and secure vacancies they are looking for," she said.
From the healthcare sector, six organizations will be attending the event in hopes of securing more employees, including hiring for more than just one position. The City of Waterloo is looking to hire up to 200 registered nurses and personal support workers (PSW).
“It could be PSWs, registered nurses, personal support workers, that sort of thing,” said Stumpf, “We have six sectors that are heavily invested in finding these roles.”
Throughout the pandemic, COVID-19 has presented many different challenges for healthcare workers that has resulted in a large number of workers stepping away from these roles.
I think employers are adjusting their policies and procedures to make sure employers are safe,
“Everybody’s need in the industry is very different,” Stumpf explains, “Some people would be afraid because they have a health-related matter, where some other people can’t accommodate the shift schedule because of children or another job.”
She adds this shortage also puts additional strain on remaining workers.
“I think during this pandemic it has been a lot more on the PSWs and nurses and all health-related staff members,” said Stumpf, “And people also getting sick and having two weeks to quarantine, That sort-of stuff, it puts pressure on other staff members to pick up that work because they’re so understaffed.”
With the event coming up, Stumpf is hoping more employers in healthcare and other sectors struggling to hire workers will consider joining them to fill these roles.
“I think it’s so critical that we reach out to our community organizations to get the word out there.”
For more information about the event, click here.
