Skilled workers settle in to new home, jobs

							Skilled workers settle in to new home, jobs

Red Deer Advocate
August 20, 2004

By HARLEY RICHARDS
Advocate business editor

Photo by DAVE OLECKO/Advocate staff
Bernhard Ruis, left, and Mario Koch work
some of the cutting machinery at Contempo
Kitchen's in Blackfalds where they make
contemporary kitchen cabinets. Both workers
are from Germany.


The Town of Blackfalds has gained a slightly
more European flavour - and a couple pretty
good craftsmen - thanks to ongoing efforts to
attract skilled workers from overseas.

Bernhard Ruis and Mario Koch joined the staff at Contempo Kitchens Ltd. about a
month ago, gaining expedited entrance into the country under the Canada-Germany
young worker exchange program.

They learned about Contempo's needs from a Central Alberta delegation that took part
in a March recruitment trip to England and Germany.

This was the second year Central Alberta Economic Partnership Ltd., or CAEP,
participated in the Alberta Economic Development project.

The Red Deer Chamber of Commerce, Alberta Human Resources and Employment, and
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada were also involved.

In addition to Contempo Kitchens, Nossack Fine Meats Ltd. benefited from this year's
trip.
The Red Deer company is currently awaiting the arrival of five German workers hired as
a result of the project.

Three are coming to Canada under the young workers exchange program, and two are
gaining admission through the provincial nominee program.

"It's a great program," said Ingrid Nossack, who operates the company with her
husband Karsten.

"For us it's been a very successful mission."

Bruin's Plumbing and Heating Ltd. is also hiring a European worker it contacted as a
result of the CAEP trip, with several other businesses considering doing the same.

Prior to this year's trip, CAEP conducted a survey of regional employers to determine
their labour needs. That resulted in a list of 112 positions, which were publicized during
the trip and compiled on a website.

Prospective employees could post their qualifications for employers to consider.

Despite the successes of Contempo Kitchens and Nossack Fine Meats, CAEP chair
Norma Duncan said she had hoped more hirings would have resulted.

"I thought we'd be doing better."

Duncan said some employers found it difficult to utilize the website, or were intimidated
by the perceived administrative hurdles to hiring a foreign employee.

"It's not a simple process," she said.

Duncan also believes some businesses are reluctant to hire out-of-country workers for
fear the arrangement won't work out.

"They're really nervous about bringing someone from that far away."

The website is being reviewed and consideration given to holding special workshops for
employers, said Duncan.

She thinks it would help if employers travelled with the Central Alberta delegation on
future "Euromission" trips. That's what Ingrid Nossack did, and Contempo Cabinets
owner Raimund Rudolf met with applicants during a separate business trip to Germany.

"You can do your interviews right there," said Nossack.

An ongoing challenge for CAEP is letting Central Alberta employers know about the
project. More than 100 businesses were contacted prior to the most recent trip, but
Duncan said many more are probably unaware of this option.

"What would be perfect is if we could talk to every employer."

The project has attracted some criticism from people who fear the European recruits
are taking jobs away from Canadians. But Duncan stressed that foreign workers can
only be hired into positions the employer has been unable to fill domestically.

Duncan added that CAEP is pursuing other initiatives to address the regional shortage
of skilled workers, including lobbying the province for more local apprenticeship
programs.

"Immigration is only one solution, and it's a very small solution," she said.

Duncan is optimistic CAEP will participate in a third European recruitment trip next
spring. She said the matter will likely be discussed at the organization's Sept. 8 board
meeting.

"I think the early plan is yes, there will be another one."

CAEP is an economic alliance consisting of 41 communities in Central Alberta. It can be
contacted at 340-5300.