New job survey optimistic

OTTAWA - A survey of 100 major Canadian companies shows they expect to hire more than 700,000 people over the next five years to fill vacancies, replace retiring workers and meet anticipated growth. Job opportunities will come in all industries, but particularly in financial services, insurance, telecommunications, energy, mining, construction, transport and retail, the survey indicates.

The Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE), whose members represent 150 leading employers across Canada, conducted the survey in October and November of 2013. Two-thirds of the CCCE’s member companies participated in the survey.

The names of the companies that took part in the study were not disclosed, but respondents include major banks and other financial services providers, retailers, manufacturers, telecommunications companies, energy producers, food processors, transportation firms and real estate developers, among others.

Nearly half of the 100 companies said they expect to hire more than 2,000 people each over the next five years. Fourteen companies anticipate filling more than 10,000 positions each.

“These results appear positive for recent graduates and other young Canadians who are preparing to enter the labour force,” the CCCE said in a preliminary report on the survey’s findings. “Overall, they suggest that Canada’s largest companies anticipate a rising need for new employees, not only to meet expected growth but also to replace increasing numbers of retiring workers.”

When they were asked which qualities matter most to them when evaluating potential new employees, the respondents ranked interpersonal skills as their number one priority, followed by communication skills, problem-solving skills, analytical abilities and leadership skills. In sixth place was industry-specific knowledge and experience.