Chamber says some Charlottetown area businesses need more workers to reach 'potential'

The Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce is concerned that it'sgetting harder and harder for some businesses to findworkers particularly moving into the busy summer season.

"Front line cashiers, workers in the tourism and hospitality industry whether it be housekeepers, servers, maintenance folks," said Penny Walsh-McGuire, CEO of the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce.

"We're hearing that it's becoming more and more challenging to recruit and retain those workers."

Some businesses, like JuiceCo. in Charlottetown, have enough staff for the downtown store but are still looking for workersfor their other location.

"We're always constantly trying to find ones that really want to workand have the energy to work.Customer service is a big thing for us," said owner Sharie Hughes.

Always looking for good workers

She said it can be stressful this time of year for small businesses looking to hire morestaff, as workers could be waiting for other job offers.

Businesses are using a variety of methodslike social media, posting onlineand even the simple sign in thewindow to get the word out about job openings.

The summer staff has been hired at The Anne of Green Gables Store in Charlottetown, where they look for people that are a good fit for the busylocation.

"We are steady every day of the year. We are open seven days a week," said manager Brenda Myers.

"Through the summer, cruise ships come in, we're boom, boom, boom, busy."

She said it has become more difficult over the years to find the right staff.

Walsh-McGuire said workforce development is one of the chamber's top priorities.

"Small businesses, medium businesses are the backbone of our economy here in the province," she said."And if we can't find workers it's really hard for our productivity to be where it needs to be."

The changing Island demographics are also a contributing factor, she said,as more people are leaving the workforce, more needs to be doneto ensure there are new workers to fill their place.

She says if businesses can't hire staffthey can't grow or expand or sometimes even stay open andthe economy suffers.

"I think the shortages is significant enough that businesses can't reach their potential if they don't have employees and reaching that potential means ensuring that they're contributing to a strong economy."

More workers needed on P.E.I.

Walsh-McGuire said finding ways to keep young people on the Island,allowing international students to work more and increased immigration could help.

As for the rampingup for this year's busy season, sheexpects itto be an ongoing challenge for some businesses to find staff.

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