The Canadian Federation of Independent Business has published an analysis of the hiring needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The surveyed businesses shared that they often encounter obstacles when recruiting, including struggling to find applicants, facing challenges with compensation expectations, and encountering mismatches between applicant skills and employer needs. “Over four in ten small firms say a shortage of skilled labour is limiting their ability to increase sales or production,” said CFIB Director of Research Marvin Cruz. “Many are struggling not just to find workers, but to find candidates with the right skills, expectations, and qualifications.” Among its recommendations, CFIB encouraged provincial governments to encourage partnerships between postsecondary institutions and SMEs to create apprenticeship and internship programs that could bridge the skills gap.
