Dear Members: Labour shortages in the Yukon are not new but several businesses reported major difficulties in finding qualified employees last fall. The Conference Board of Canada predicts that the Yukon’s economy will grow faster than that of almost any other jurisdiction in the next few years. The Conference Board anticipates it will become more and more difficult for businesses to fill open positions[1]. Responsive to its members and anticipating another busy summer tourist season, the Yukon Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon, approached the Department of Economic Development with a proposal for a pilot recruitment project last December. The Department recently agreed to support the proposal. The Yukon Chamber of Commerce will be travelling to Edmonton to attend the Edmonton Job Fair on behalf of Yukoner employers. The job fair will be held at the Edmonton Convention Centre on Monday, March 18. During the event, the Yukon Chamber of Commerce will be representing Yukon businesses by displaying job postings submitted by employers and handing out business cards. Employers interested in having YCC representatives showcasing positions on their behalf do not have to be a member of YCC or any other community chamber of commerce.
The concept is simple. Employers interested in submitting open positions within their organization can access the template by clicking the Job Posting Template. Once the form is completed, send it back to the Yukon Chamber of Commerce at office@yukonchamber.com no later than Friday, March 8, 2019. Business cards or brochures can be either sent or delivered to the YCC office on or before that date. Timely response from Yukon businesses is critical if this effort is to be a success.
The Yukon Chamber of Commerce is also assessing the interest of the business community in forming a small delegation of Yukon employers that will attend the Edmonton Job Fair in person. Please contact me directly for more information on the creation of a Yukon delegation.
We very much hope this initiative will be successful in supporting Yukon businesses in their recruitment efforts, and if it is, this pilot effort may be pursued as a regular effort undertaken by the Yukon Chamber of Commerce. Most sincerely, Peter M. Turner President, Yukon Chamber of Commerce Suite 220, 2237 2nd Avenue Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 0K7 867-393-6060 president@yukonchamber.com