New data released by the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) has shed light on the growing challenges facing Canada’s agriculture sector regarding workforce availability.
According to the report “Sowing Seeds of Change” by The Conference Board of Canada on behalf of CAHRC, the industry is expected to grapple with over 100,000 vacant positions by 2030.
The study indicates a notable 15 percent increase in job vacancies compared to 2022 figures, with many positions still needing to be filled by Canadians or residents of Canada.
A significant factor contributing to this shortfall is the anticipated retirement of more than 85,300 individuals over the next decade, representing 30 per cent of the current workforce.
“Labour shortages are one of the most serious issues in agriculture because they have a direct impact on local food security, economic development and the sustainability of the sector,” says Jennifer Wright, executive director of CAHRC. “CAHRC’s labour market data offers the necessary insight to inform how we will tackle current and future challenges so our industry and its workforce can reach their full potential.”
The report underscores the importance of temporary foreign workers (TFW) to address the impending labour gap, projecting a rise in their employment. However, even with this increase, an estimated 22,200 positions are anticipated to remain vacant by 2030.
To tackle these challenges, the report proposes a range of recommendations to attract and retain workers in the agricultural sector.
These include initiatives such as public education campaigns to enhance perceptions of careers in agriculture, the development of modern human resource management practices, and the adoption of new technologies and automation.
The findings of this labour market analysis serve as a foundation for CAHRC’s National Workforce Strategic Plan (NWSP), a comprehensive framework designed to address labour shortages and skill gaps within the industry. The development of the NWSP involved collaboration from over 100 stakeholders, including primary producers, food and beverage manufacturers, educational institutions, industry associations, and government representatives.