canadian hr reporter Nova Scotia invests $4.4 million in Michelin plant

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Michelin Canada is expanding its facility in Bridgewater, N.S., a $36-million project that will result in the creation of more than 30 jobs.

The province of Nova Scotia is investing about $4.4 million to help expand and modernize the steel cord products operation at the facility, while the tire manufacturer is putting up $32 million. But the expansion is about more than the 36 jobs to be created in 2008, said Premier Rodney MacDonald, it's about encouraging big employers to stay in the province.

"Attracting continued investment from global companies like Michelin is a key factor to building a prosperous economy and providing stable, long-term employment in our local communities," said MacDonald.

"This investment supports our commitment to the success of our advanced manufacturing industry in rural Nova Scotia."

About 3,500 people work at Michelin's three plants in Nova Scotia, making the company the fourth-largest employer in the province. More than 1,000 are at the non-unionized factory in Bridgewater.

Michelin has been operating in Nova Scotia for 35 years. In that time, the province has given the company $134 million in investments and loans.

Sri Lankan cooks arrive at local restaurant

Whitecourt Star, Whitecourt, AB: "Two new faces sit anxiously with smiles spread across their faces. They both have only lived in Canada, a foreign country to them, for less than a week and have just started brand new jobs at the local Boston Pizza. They seem excited about their new roles in this brand new county and brand new town, after travelling across the Pacific Ocean from the city of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Champa De Seram and Erandana Herath, along with four others, are joining the many Sri Lankan cooks coming to work in northern Alberta Boston Pizza outlets. The chain is climbing aboard the immigration train to find help in a hospitality industry that is suffering because of the lack of local hands available � an economic crunch due to a booming oil and gas industry.
The six cooks arrived on August 10 to begin their three-year contract working for the chain, and so far they�re impressed with how accommodating and friendly Canadians are. However, the cultural differences were evident instantaneously for the new cooks.
'It�s something different to our country,' De Seram said.
'Completely different to our country,' Herath agreed enthusiastically.
The weather for one is a major difference. Although right now, Herath said the weather is similar to that in Sri Lanka, but once winter approaches it will be a different story.
'Boston Pizza is also different from our country, but very easy to learn,' De Seram said.
'In our country we have Pizza Huts, not Boston Pizza,' Herath added.
So far, despite the language barrier, the cooks have been performing well in the kitchen.
'They�ve been doing really well,' Whitecourt Boston Pizza owner Cindy Marcolin said. 'Due to the labour shortage, it�s been tough to keep people.'
According to the Canada Immigration Lawyers, there is a shortage of a"

Matching worker, job remains challenge

Matching worker, job remains challenge: "Jeremy Warren, The StarPhoenix
Published: Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Saskatchewan has 11,000 jobs waiting to be filled, according to recruitment ads the provincial government recently placed in Alberta newspapers.
For every job, there are virtually as many stories from employers and potential employees about their experience wading through Saskatchewan's shrinking labour pool. The StarPhoenix spoke with Saskatoon's employers and job-hunters to gauge the impact the labour shortage is having.
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'Anybody who wants a job can get one,' said Ricky Roinila, who's looking for a job in shipping and receiving.
Standing outside the Canada- Saskatchewan Career and Employment Services offi ce in downtown Saskatoon, Roinila, who just got back from a 10- year stay in Rankin Inlet, hasn't had trouble fi nding jobs. It's a matter of being realistic about the search.
'There are so many people applying for jobs that it's better to apply for something you've been trained for or have a lot experience in. You still have to be smart about it,' Roinila said.
Employers beware, the labour crunch can make it easier for a person to leave a job they don't feel comfortable with, Roinila said.
'You don't have to put up with crap since there are tons of jobs out there. If you feel your boss is endangering you or treating you unfairly, just leave. You don't have to fi ght tooth and nail for a job these days.'
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While many construction companies and contractors are getting squeezed in the labour crunch, consumers are feeling the impact, too.
The time it takes to build a home is increasing, which delays possession dates and increases construction costs, said Perry Kenke, owner of River Ridge Homes.
"

Governments move to ease job shortages

Governments move to ease job shortages: "Susan Lazaruk, The Province
Published: Wednesday, August 02, 2006

The local construction industry is welcoming moves from Ottawa and Victoria to make it easier for foreign workers to fill jobs in B.C.

B.C. Economic Development Minister Colin Hansen announced yesterday it was expanding the provincial nominee program designed to fast-track immigrant workers by adding six new staff members.

Since 2001, the program has helped 1,750 skilled workers and business people immigrate to B.C., 750 of them last year alone. The program targets those in nursing, high technology, post-secondary education, skilled trades and others, all of which are facing worker shortages.

Also this week, Ottawa announced the hiring of special workers in B.C. and Alberta to help facilitate the immigration of temporary foreign workers on one-to-two-year visas.

"This is good news for the industry," said Keith Sashaw of the Vancouver Regional Construction Association. "The provincial and federal governments are listening to the concerns of the construction industry and are taking steps to address those concerns."

He said half of last year's immigrants through the provincial program work in construction, where the building boom has led to a shortage of workers in every category.

Sashaw said the provincial program will help an offshore worker with a valid job offer move to B.C. in as little as three months and get landed immigrant status within a year, compared with the almost four years sit takes going through the federal route.

He estimated over the next five to eight years in B.C. up to 40,000 construction workers will be needed to fill new positions and replace those retiring. The province has estimated that one million workers will be needed over the next several years and schools will graduate only 650,000.