Labour shortage is beginning to hit hard in many sectors of the Canadian economy. And a temporary solution to fill vacant positions is also being put in place, which is to grab skilled workers from other countries.

Recently Alberta Premier Alison Redmond was in the United States and executives from various organizations have been scouting much of the world including Ireland for skilled employees.

Why are companies going abroad when there is still a high unemployment rate in Canada?  And then are why many young Canadians with their degrees working at Starbucks making minimum wages.

What is wrong with this picture?

Well, everyone can take a little blame in this scenario: subjects, industries and governments.

Before enrolling in a program, students need to do their homework. Know what skills will be required in the coming years. It is a waste of time studying drama for four years, unless one is planning to attain their PhD and then perhaps teach at a university.

And also the educational institutions and businesses need to collaborate to see what types of skills are required in the coming years.  In addition, all levels of governments need play a greater role to see what training programs are needed and act accordingly.

It is reported that with Canada’s aging population, in the next ten years close 640,000 employees could retire in the manufacturing sector alone, not to mention other sectors of the economy. Canada faces a daunting task to fill vacant positions in the coming years. And so far very little action is taken to rectify this solution.