More Sarnia-Lambton employers using online job boards: survey

Local employers seem to be using online job boards more when it comes to recruitment.

Article content

That’s one finding from the recent EmployOne survey by the Sarnia-Lambton Workforce Development Board.

Article content

Whereas word of mouth traditionally has been the top recruitment method among survey participants, it was second in this year’s recently released results, said development board executive director Mikelle Bryson-Campbell.

Of the 304 survey participants — a record number, Bryson-Campbell said — 37 per cent said they used online platforms.

There were 30 per cent who said they used word of mouth, 12 per cent social media, and five per cent employment service centers and websites, while one per cent said newspapers, job fairs, and on site job signs, the results say.

“Employers are really using those digital methods to recruit more staff,” Bryson-Campbell said.

Article content

“I think that’s really great news and will really widen their base of employees they can hire.”

Also noteworthy, more sole proprietors, usually an underrepresented group, took part in this year’s survey, Bryson-Campbell said.

Respondents — 61 per cent — continued to report having hard-to-fill positions, primarily because they couldn’t find enough applicants, or applicants lacked qualifications or work experience, among other reasons, the survey results say.

More though — 49 per cent, versus 38 per cent the year before — said the availability of qualified workers was excellent or good, the study says.

Employers also remained reluctant to hire international talent, with about 41 per cent saying they were somewhat or very likely to make such hires, and the rest unsure or saying it’s unlikely.

Article content

“That’s similar to last year,” Bryson-Campbell said.

“So, more work needs to be done in terms of supporting the hiring in this population and perhaps filling a need in the work force.”

Almost double the number of separations — retirements, resignations, firings — were reported among participants this year, with 1,928.

More were retirements amid an aging workforce, Bryson-Campbell noted.

Dependability and work ethic were again top qualities employers were looking for in applicants, and 65 per cent of participating companies said they expect to hire an estimated 1,769 employees in the coming year, the study says.

Meanwhile more people have been entering the labor force, the local job stats show, Bryson-Campbell said.

“The cost of living, of course, has skyrocketed, so people are looking to work to fill that income need,” she said.

The annual survey gives valuable insight into labor market trends for employers and job seekers, she said.

“We’re hoping participation will continue and continue to grow over the next several years.”

[email protected]

Article content