CKPG News

Restaurants facing labour shortage across BC

Jun 17, 2021 | 4:27 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The restaurant industry is facing a major labor shortage throughout BC. According to the BC Restaurant and Food Services Association, the industry has thousands of open positions that need to be filled.

“We estimate that the industry is around 40,000 people short between the front of the house and back of the house. It’s a huge issue right now,” said the CEO of BC Restaurant and Food Services Association, Ian Tostenson.

Another obstacle for businesses is that many BC residents are still collecting unemployment rather than looking for a job

“Part of the problem is that we have a number of programs that continue to operate for people who are not employed as a result of the pandemic. There has to be a shift in focus and it has to happen quickly because our friends in the restaurant sector are very short-staffed and are looking to ramp up quickly,” said CEO of Prince George Chamber of Commerce, Todd Corrigall.

Getting a job can be as easy as heading down to your local restaurant and seeing whether they are hiring or not. Tostenson also recommends that employers reach out to the community, beyond just posting online.

“Reach out to schools, the Chamber of Commerce, friends, and family. Just get the word out that you are hiring. As much as we are saying that we are hiring, sometimes it isn’t that obvious,” continued Tostenson

Tostenson also said that Prince George has a lucky number of post-secondary students that will be coming back to the city looking for part-time work.