City businesses get tips on hiring
Economic reports are showing Alberta’s oil-related recession is ending. But that’s presenting new challenges — and opportunities — for the province’s employers.
With its diversified economy, Lethbridge businesses were not stressed as much as some in Calgary and other cities. But now could be the time they plan for growth.
With Lethbridge ranking fourth in a recent report of “Canada’s best places for business,” employers who attended a workshop here recently were offered some pointers about hiring.
The event, presented recently by The Talent Pool in partnership with the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce, was focused on workplace planning practices for smaller and medium-sized organizations. Organizers say further sessions will be offered here in January and into spring.
“The structure of your organization and how resources are managed and utilized as we come out of the recession are critical to long-term success,” explains Marcie Kiziak, one of the presenters.
So Kiziak, an experienced human resources professional in Edmonton, says strategic workforce planning — “aligning the overall business plan with people initiatives” — is critical during a growth period.
Business owners have tried to “do more with less” during lean times, she says.
“Now they have an opportunity to add resources back in a very meaningful and strategic way.”
But smaller companies are unlikely to have trained human resources people on staff, she points out. That’s why The Talent Pool, described as an “Alberta employers’ resource and information hub,” is presenting workshops in the province’s mediumsized cities. The initiative is sponsored by the provincial and federal governments.
A board director of the province’s Chartered Professionals in Human Resources organization, Kiziak says offering help to those businesses as they recruit, select and retain new employees will allow them to grow as part of Alberta’s strengthening economy.
At the same time, she adds, it’s hoped the ongoing sessions will prove valuable to members of the small “HR” organizations in the mid-sized cities.
Kiziak says non-profit organizations, like those taking part last week’s session, can use the same planning approaches as they see new opportunities.