MANUFACTURERS RING THE ALARM ON LABOUR & SKILL SHORTAGES

TORONTO - OCTOBER 17, 2019

Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) released a report today on labour & skills shortages, which highlights that 85% of manufacturers struggle to fill vacant jobs.

“Labour & skill shortages in the manufacturing sector are alarming. They are holding back the entire sector and, by extension, Canada’s economic growth,” said Dennis Darby, President & CEO of CME. “Our members tell us it is not unusual for successful manufacturers to put off plans to grow because they do not have the workers and skill sets they need to support their expansion.”

Manufacturing employs 1.7 million Canadians, accounts for two-thirds of export sales and 11% of GDP. Canada’s manufacturers are multifaceted making everything from electronics and transportation equipment, to food products and lipstick. Labour shortages limit manufacturers innovation and growth by preventing businesses from operating at optimal capacity.

The report identifies three aspirational goals to help the manufacturing sector thrive:

  1. Create 150,000 new full-time jobs for youth in manufacturing
  2. Double employer investment in worker training
  3. Increase economic immigrants to 500,000 a year by 2025

“Canada’s next government needs to prioritize the manufacturing sector and its skills, labour and training shortage crisis in its first 100 days in office to ensure Canada’s economic well-being,” added Darby.

ABOUT CANADIAN MANUFACTURERS & EXPORTERS

Since 1871, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters has been helping manufacturers grow at home and compete around the world. Our focus is to ensure manufacturers are recognized as engines for growth in the economy, with Canada acknowledged as both a global leader and innovator in advanced manufacturing and a global leader in exporting. CME is a member-driven association that directly represents more than 2,500 leading companies who account for an estimated 82 per cent of manufacturing output and 90 per cent of Canada’s exports.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

Stefi Proulx
Director of Communications
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters
C:  613-292-6070 | stefi.proulx@cme-mec.ca | @CME_MEC