Says reputational, immigration challenges hitting construction industry's hiring efforts
The chief executive officer of a construction firm in Canada travelled to six countries last year looking for talent for his organisation.
George Vassallo, CEO of Bothwell-Accurate, went to the United States, Philippines, Singapore, Ireland, Israel, and Vietnam in search of workers who would be the right fit for his company.
"At this very moment, I have 50 jobs to fill, ranging from $66,000 to $400,000 a year," Vassallo told The National Post.
According to the CEO, the company is eager to fill these positions with a diversified workforce, ranging from women, newcomers, and youth.
But instead of finding talent, Vassallo discovered that the struggle to find construction workers is a challenge faced globally. He attributed this to stereotypes affecting the construction industry.
"The perception of construction is it's dirty, it's hard labour, it doesn't pay well, there's no future in it — and I disagree with all that," he told The National Post.
Vassallo pointed out that most parents across the world push their kids to become lawyers and doctors, but not as a roofer, a waterproofing, a cladder, a glazier, or a bricklayer.
"What we have to do is change that perspective. It's no longer a dirty thing to say ‘I work in construction,’" he said.
In a later statement, the CEO said parents, school systems, teachers, and other mentors have a role to play in getting kids to be interested in construction.
"It's also time for parents, school systems, teachers, and other mentors to tell kids that it's okay to be a construction worker, and you can carve out a good career with hard work and if you partner with the right company that has a focus on safety, skills, and career advancement," Vassallo said on LinkedIn.
Vassallo added that there are also mobility issues for employees, where there are national and provincial barriers preventing talent from joining organisations.
And if immigrants are able to successfully enter Canada, the CEO pointed out that they aren't tapped for their full potential.
"I don't think we're getting full value. And shame on business and shame on government for allowing that to happen," he said.
Vassallo stated that communication between the government and businesses is key to addressing these recruitment challenges.
"We have to talk more; we have to get the message out more. It has to be a collaborative thing," he said.
Vassallo has described his journey so far as a "frustrating," but he plans to continue to Korea and Saudi Arabia to look for talent this year.
"There is no single solution. But together, we can tackle the labour crisis that's only going to get worse in the face of looming retirements," he said on LinkedIn.
