Shortage of Experienced Engineers and Skilled Workers Looms

As qualified engineers and skilled labor grow in short supply, companies have resorted to luring experienced technical workers from the competition. Attractive compensation packages are the main bait, especially to those with 5 to 15 years of experience, as the mining and energy sectors scramble to meet demand from countries like China, India, Russia, and Brazil.

The shortfall of talent for those who have the technical expertise and leadership experience to hit the ground running have prompted consulting engineering firms to step up their hiring efforts. Consequently, there is cutthroat competition to get or retain talent. For instance, mining and energy companies are recruiting from other sectors; bigger and more lucrative companies hiring talent from smaller companies; and companies located in provinces actively seeking employees like Alberta are trying to fill their vacancies by recruiting from other provinces and overseas.  Unfortunately, hiring international talents also has its own hurdles. For starters, there is also a short supply of experienced engineers and skilled labor worldwide. And even when there are candidates who can fill the vacancies, getting their credentials recognized can be challenging.

Despite the fact that recruitment firms are intensifying their efforts to hire experienced engineers and technical workers, Engineers Canada predicts that there is going to be a national shortage of civil engineers in 2013. This comes at a time when demand for urban infrastructure like electricity, roads, and water has increased to about 18 percent in the first quarter of 2012. Without qualified personnel to do the job, infrastructure projects and consequently competitiveness suffers, declares the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

The pendulum has swung to the candidate side and thus, companies are stepping up to get the best talent on board. Companies have become competitive as well as creative in coming up with good packages for their staff. As example, oil and gas firms that can afford it dangle compensation packages that are 30 to 50 percent higher than others. Other companies focus on their central location which enables workers to return home to their family everyday while still others are offering recreation facilities among other amenities. Companies are focusing on providing challenging projects, recognition for a job well done, competitive pay and promoting a supportive working environment.