Finding that special someone

Times Contributor 

 

The Bow Valley College (BVC) Finders Keepers workshop drew many area employers to sessions geared for the retention and attraction of new employees. 

“In today’s highly competitive economic times, companies and businesses that will be successful are those that focus on the triple bottom line; what’s good for your company, what’s good for your employees and what’s good for your community,” said Teri McKinnon, Strathmore Regional representative.

The Finders Keepers workshop is just one of many leadership programs from BVC that are recently available to businesses and organizations in this area, from BVC that help employers capitalize on their soft assets.

Linda Wilson, who has 18 years of career development experience and a Master’s Degree in Adult Education, designed the Finders Keepers workshop series in 2008. She was contacted to facilitate the course. 

The workshop took participants through a step-by-step analysis of their workplace, an evaluation of their employee requirements; a perspective of undiscovered workforce personnel, and tips and discussions on what generates employee dedication and loyalties to an employer.

“Employers want to keep their people. It is expensive to rehire,” said Wilson.

She said it means employers have to shift their employment patterns, to be better marketers and make their businesses the ‘Employer of choice’ for job seekers. The Alberta Government Human Resources workbook, used by the group, states that the cost of replacing an employee ranges between 70 to 200 per cent of the lost employee’s yearly salary; a lost employee impacts the business with downtime, slowed production while retraining of a new employee and overall effects to the bottom line.

Wilson said many employers go into recruitment processes without any forethought or recruitment plans. Making a plan, by researching the employment market and the corresponding labour market, knowing what in their business works and determining what they need, as well as having sources to locate target employees, will help employers to be successful. She advocates industry networking, following up word of mouth referrals, using social media and ensuring the hiring process is a positive experience.

Seeking employees from minority groups, aboriginal workers, older skilled workers, disabled, youth and women can significantly improve hiring numbers. Any special changes the employer makes to the workplace to accommodate a willing worker from these groups, may lead to a loyal, long term working relationship.

Wilson said new employees are looking for good employers. In a survey done by Canadian Policy Research Network, treating an employee with respect was the top criteria of job seekers, followed by interesting work, communication, good workplace environments, a sense of accomplishment, and flexible work parameters. With today’s shallow employee pool, the job search interview has reversed. Now, it is the employee interviewing the employer as to whether they will be a good choice for employment.

Wilson said the process doesn’t stop with the hiring of the new employee either. Employers should continually re-evaluate their businesses for any improvements and benefits needed, such as education programs or employee satisfaction surveys, to keep their staff. Keeping one eye on new industry trends can help employers provide upgrades within their own business, making it is less likely current employees will look elsewhere for greener pastures.

Participants in the Strathmore workshop were also given time to voice human resource problems and brainstorm with the group for solutions.

Depending on the demand in the community for the workshop, BVC may consider holding similar workshops in the future.

Participants were given take-away material, listing many resources for future information. One insert directed them to Human resource problem solving publications for employers at www.alis.alberta.ca 

For more information on workshops offered by BVC, call Teri McKinnon at 403-462-2550, or see http://www.bowvalleycollege.ca/strathmore-and-chestermere