St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador – A disconnect is emerging in Newfoundland and Labrador’s job market, with young job seekers reporting significant difficulty finding employment while businesses simultaneously struggle to recruit and retain workers. The apparent paradox highlights structural issues within the provincial economy and raises questions about skills mismatches, hiring practices, and regional economic disparities.
Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) students are among those voicing frustration. One student recently told VOCM News they spent three months applying for positions without receiving a single response. Another reported submitting “thousands of applications,” both within and outside the province, and receiving only a handful of callbacks. Notably, this student stated they were explicitly informed by some employers that they were not prioritizing local applicants.
These experiences contrast sharply with the perspective of the St. John’s Board of Trade, which asserts that a significant labor shortage persists. AnnMarie Boudreau, CEO of the Board of Trade, stated that many member businesses are “finding it challenging to recruit and retain workers,” impacting both growth and day-to-day operations. This sentiment echoes broader concerns about labor availability across Atlantic Canada, as highlighted by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).
The discrepancy suggests a potential misalignment between the skills and experience of available job seekers and the requirements of open positions. While students may be actively searching, their qualifications may not match the specific needs of employers. This is a common challenge in many regional economies, particularly those undergoing structural shifts.
The situation is further complicated by reports of barriers faced by individuals with disabilities. Zach Newman, a fourth-year human bioscience and behavioural neuroscience student at MUN, has been applying for jobs in St. John’s for six months without securing even an interview. Newman, who has Tourette’s syndrome and ADHD, believes his conditions may contribute to the challenges he faces. His experience underscores the importance of inclusive hiring practices and the need to address potential biases within the recruitment process.
Newman’s story also highlights a shift in his employment prospects. He previously found it easier to secure work in his hometown of South Brook, where workplaces were more familiar and employment opportunities were more readily available. This suggests that the job market in larger urban centers like St. John’s may be more competitive and less accommodating to individuals with diverse needs.
The Board of Trade is actively working to address the labor shortage through collaboration with government, educational institutions, and industry leaders. The goal is to “find practical solutions to help businesses attract, train and keep the talent” needed to support local growth. This includes initiatives focused on workforce development, skills training, and retention strategies.
However, the long-term effectiveness of these initiatives remains to be seen. The CFIB has noted that the labor market is tight across all skill levels – skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled – suggesting that the shortage is not limited to specific occupations. This broad-based challenge requires a comprehensive approach that addresses systemic issues within the labor market.
The situation in Newfoundland and Labrador also reflects a broader trend of underutilization of experienced workers. A report from May 2023 indicated that some businesses are overlooking a potentially valuable demographic: retirees looking to re-enter the workforce. Engaging this segment of the population could help alleviate the labor shortage and provide valuable skills and experience to the economy.
The contrast between the experiences of young job seekers and the needs of local businesses emphasizes the complexity of the current hiring landscape. Bridging the gap between available talent and business requirements will require a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including government, educational institutions, employers, and job seekers themselves. Addressing issues of skills mismatch, inclusive hiring, and workforce development will be crucial to fostering a more robust and equitable labor market in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The lack of readily available data on specific unemployment rates for recent graduates and individuals with disabilities in Newfoundland and Labrador makes a precise assessment of the problem difficult. Further research is needed to quantify the extent of these challenges and inform targeted policy interventions.
