Last week I gave a presentation through BC HRMA in Prince George, B.C., to some 40 different businesses on Recruitment and Attraction for the North.

I was not surprised but it simply reconfirmed what I have been saying for some time now: businesses will begin to feel the pinch when it comes to seeking skilled qualified workers. A large number of organizations in the Northern part of B.C. are encountering difficulties trying to recruit the qualified applicants despite much of Canada still in a recession.

As I highlighted, two of the groups that companies should target are the First Nations and the South Asian. Almost 50 per cent of the population among the First Nations is under the age of 25 years. This is one of the largest untapped resources when it comes to seeking future employees. To reach the First Nations, businesses must establish stronger relationships.

The other group I talked about is the South Asian (Indo-Canadian) that is expected to be the third largest group of Canadians after the British and the French. Many new immigrants that are coming from India today are highly skilled and educated who have little issues relocating to the North.

When advertising for positions, businesses need to highlight the many benefits the North has to offer: inexpensive housing, outdoor recreation and competitive wages, etc.