RECRUITING OUTLOOK CONTINUES TO BE EXCELLENT
The retail job market is particularly healthy, all across Canada. There are many opportunities available for all kinds of profiles, whether in-store or in support functions, full- or part-time work, in management or in direct sales. The good health of the Canadian economy is benefiting all businesses—large groups and small stores, urban and rural, and recruiting is in full swing.
“Nowadays, starting out in the retail trade is a wise choice,” says Andrew Siegwart, Director of Education and Events for Retail Council of Canada. “There are many opportunities and employers have ambitious policies in place to train and retain their personnel.”
OCCUPATIONS IN DEMAND
All types of profiles are in demand, but there is an even greater need for qualified professionals who are experts in their field, as well as in administration and management. These jobs require ever higher levels of expertise, due to the technological revolution that has enhanced the retail trade since the 1990s. This trend is now affecting small businesses, which in turn are tooling up and training themselves on new technologies.
The human resources field is also seeking talented people. In the context of mass recruiting and strong growth in human resources management, there are many human resources job opportunities.
Finally, store managers are very much in demand. The retirement rate in this area, higher than average, has created many job openings and the unemployment rate (1.7%) is considerably below the national average of 5%.* The result is that the number of jobs available exceeds the number of people looking for this type of work.
EMPLOYER EFFORTS
Since there are starting to be fewer candidates in some jobs, employers have to show creativity and openness to attract them. The increasingly competitive market is also generating a gradual improvement in working conditions, e.g. benefits, flexible schedules and professional training. Some stores have active recruiting policies in place to diversify their human resources, particularly as regards older employees, retirees, young people and visible minorities.
* Employment Canada statistics