The sector with one of the highest economic growth potentials is agri-food and agriculture. But despite such high demand, recent research suggests there will be a domestic shortage of manpower in Canada’s agricultural sector, with over 100,000 jobs experiencing a shortage by 2030. Unfortunately, this represents a 15% increase above the number of positions that Canadian citizens will be unable to fill by 2023, according to the Agricultural Human Resource Council.
The council attributes this widening gap to Canada’s aging population, with over 30% of the workforce in the agriculture sector anticipated to retire within the same timeframe.
One of the primary causes of the labor shortage in Canada is its aging population. As of June 2023, the group of workers aged 45 and above, which contributes significantly to the workforce, totals 8,459.20 thousand workers.
One of the most serious issues regarding labor shortages is in the agriculture sector, as it directly impacts local food security, economic development, and sector sustainability, as mentioned by Jennifer Wright, the council’s Executive Director, in a press release.
Another significant factor contributing to the growing labor gap in the agricultural sector is that while the retirement-age population in the country is projected to grow, the population of younger individuals aged between 15 to 24 is expected to remain constant, according to reports.
Another major issue is the growing gap due to a lack of skills in the workforce. Workers in managerial roles make up a significant portion of the projected retiree group, but younger workers are not able to fill those roles due to lacking necessary skills and qualifications.
Temporary foreign workers help Canadian employers hire the talent they need, and in this case, they play an important role in filling the gap. It is not surprising to note that four out of five of the hundred thousand jobs may be filled by foreign workers. Despite filling many of those roles with temporary foreign workers, it is expected that thousands of positions will still remain vacant, highlighting the wide gap in this sector.
According to certain reports, to fill those huge gaps, there can be an increase in immigration, which can lead to more opportunities for immigrants to enter the agricultural sector. In the past as well, the number of temporary workers who entered the sector more than doubled between 2021 and 2022.
This is a clear indication that immigrants need to be offered tailored programs to ensure they have the required skills to perform in specific occupations in the agriculture sector.
Several surveys conducted on the subject reveal that other industries, such as the egg industry and supply-managed dairy and poultry, experience fewer workforce shortages compared to the agriculture sector. Automation, price stability, and reduced turnover rates are the causes of this.
The number of job openings is quite high in the agriculture sector, especially in nursery and greenhouse businesses, due to robust expansion in this space. According to survey reports, domestic labor demand is expected to remain high in the industry by 2030, making a significant difference.
Expanding apprenticeship and skilled trades programs definitely help, but educating the younger generation about the opportunities available in the electrical sector is crucial.
In order to find a solution to this skills shortage, efforts should be made to educate and raise awareness among migrants, international students, and women to consider opportunities in this industry. Experts feel that sustainability and agriculture should also be included as key subjects in the educational curriculum in Canada, laying the foundation for educating students while they are in college or university to grow interest in exploring work options in this sector.