Business owners are having problems finding employees with the right labour skills according to a recent survey by the Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce.
Interim Chamber CEO John Wishart says businesses have told them it’s their biggest challenge in growing especially in the call centre industry.
“It’s getting more difficult to attract labour unless you are willing to pay a little bit more for some of these jobs. The sector seems to be split between call centres that are still paying $11 or $12 an hour and some that are paying $15 to $17 an hour,” he notes.
Besides call centres, labour shortages are also especially challenging in the health care, I.T. and financial services industries.
When asked what the provincial government’s priorities should be in 2018, businesses said lowering the deficit and debt along with growing the population and attracting more immigrants.
