West Kootenay Employer Survey - Fall 2023

Labour shortages are forecast to become more acute in BC and in the West Kootenay over the next decade. We are currently trying to determine if the West Kootenay can support a fee-for-service recruitment agency for recruiting employees. The information you share might also prove invaluable in addressing other human resource (HR) issues for the region.

This survey should take 5-10 minutes to complete. All information will be kept confidential. Please include your contact information at the bottom of this survey should you wish to be eligible for a draw prize of an iPad.

The project was initiated by: Nelson & District Chamber of Commerce, Community Futures Central Kootenay, Selkirk College, Kootenay Career Development Society (KCDS), Community Futures Greater Trail, Castlegar & District Chamber of Commerce, Destination Castlegar, Kootenay Employment Services (KES), and Lower Columbia Initiatives Corp. (LCIC). The study is funded by the Province of BC.

Thank you in advance!

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* 1. Where is your business/ organization located (check as many as apply)?

Nelson and area

Castlegar and area

Trail, Rossland, Fruitvale, Montrose and area

Creston and area

Kaslo and North Kootenay Lake

Slocan Valley, Slocan Lake and Nakusp and area

Elsewhere in the Kootenays

Elsewhere in BC

Other (please specify)

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* 2. How long has your business/ organization been operating?

Less than 2 years

2-5 years

5-10 years

10-20 years

20+ years

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* 3. How many full-time employees do you currently have?

1-5

6-10

11-20

21-50

51-100

100+

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* 4. How many part-time employees do you currently have?

1-5

6-10

11-20

21-50

51-100

100+

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* 5. What do you anticipate your human resource (HR) needs will be in 2 years time?

grow by 50% or more

grow 25-50%

grow 10-25%

stay essentially the same

drop 10-25%

drop by more than 25%

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* 6. How would you rate your recruitment success on a scale of 1-100 (1 being not very good to 100 being excellent)?

100

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 7. How would you rate your retention success on a scale of 1-100 (1 being not very good to 100 being excellent)?

100

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 8. How would you rate your other HR practices (e.g. conflict resolution, HR planning, training, employee evaluation and engagement, etc.) on a scale of 1-100 (1 being not very good to 100 being excellent)?

100

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 9. Please check those things you do that help to attract and retain employees (top 5)

Very competitive compensation

Bonuses, matching RRSPs &/or profit sharing

Very competitive benefit package

Generous vacation

Team-building events

Enhanced work culture

Focus on work/ life balance for employees

Professional development opportunities

Promotional opportunities

Flexible schedule

Remote work possibilities

Staff discounts

Wellness days

Other/ Please expand on any answers should you wish.

Question Title

* 10. What are you hearing as the most pressing issues affecting staff and potential staff (pick up to 3)?

Housing costs

Housing availability

Child care

Transportation issues within West Kootenay

Transportation issues out of West Kootenay

Remote work possibilities

Flexible schedules

Salaries and compensation

Growth opportunities

Other (please specify)

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* 11. What have been your most effective means of recruitment recently (pick top 3)?

Large online job boards (Indeed, ZipRecruiter, etc.)

Federal, provincial online job boards (JobBank.gc.ca, WorkBC)

Local/ regional online job boards (Kootenay.Jobs, Kijiji, etc.)

Website

Social media presence (Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, etc.)

Word or mouth (e.g. employees' referrals, etc.)

Local/ regional employment agencies (KCDS, KES, Trail Skills Centre, etc.)

Help wanted ads in local newspapers

Posting 'Help Wanted' and other signs at your place of business

Recruitment agency

Other (please specify)

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* 12. Which positions are you having a challenging time filling? (check as many as apply)

Low skills (on the job training)

Some skills (need some college)

Technical skills (trade or specialized skill)

High skills (very specialized skills)

Management

Other (please specify)

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* 13. Have you ever used a recruitment agency? A recruitment agency is a firm that helps organizations find and hire qualified candidates for open positions. The agency works on behalf of the organization to source and vet individuals, and present top talent.

Yes

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* 14. What would the maximum you would be willing to pay a recruitment agency to assist in recruiting at the following commissions (% represent the % of first year salary including bonuses and commissions) if a recruiter were to guarantee at least a year's employment with you?

0%. I won't use a recruiter

up to 10%

11-15%

16-20%

21-25%

25-29%

30% or more

I would consider paying a fixed sum for services from a recruiter

I would consider paying an hourly rate for a recruiter

Comment/ Explanation

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* 15. How much of your workforce might you be willing to use a recruitment agency for?

up to 10% of employment needs

10-25%

more than 25%

Comment

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* 16. A temp agency helps to fill temporary needs for a slight premium (e.g. $2-4 /hour). Do you have any temporary employment needs that a temp agency might be able to assist you with? (e.g. inventory, seasonal work, summer or holiday rush, covering vacations, etc.).

Much/ significant

Some

A few

None

Comment/ explanation

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* 17. Please check any HR services you require and might be willing to pay for (check as many as apply).

Recruitment

Retention planning and execution

Conflict resolution

Developing HR policies & strategy

Developing a staffing plan

HR Administration (payroll, records, etc.)

Employee engagement (e.g. surveys)

Training and employee development

Other (please specify)

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* 18. List other HR issues you are currently finding challenging?

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* 19. Contact Info (NOTE: All survey responses will be kept confidential. If you wish to be eligible for the iPad draw prize please fill in the contact info)

Name

Organization

Email Address

Phone Number

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* 20. Thank you for completing the survey! Could we contact you for a 30-minute interview to get more information?

Yes