Regional
Profile The Eastman Labour Market Study
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Companies considering locating in Eastern Manitoba have access to
a large pool of skilled and committed workers with good work habits and strong
regional attachments.
Eastman
Region Labour Market Study(download entire study) presents detailed
information about the lifestyles and work habits of Eastern Manitoba residents
and highlights several interesting observations about their attitudes towards a
wide-range of employment-related issues.
Here are some
highlights from the survey results used in the study:
Commitment:
Over half of Eastern Manitoba survey respondents were born outside
the region, but have become strongly attached to their community
and are committed to staying due to the opportunities and quality
of life offered in the Eastern region of Manitoba.
Mobility:
Eastman workers are highly mobile and longer travel distances to
work are not viewed as a barrier to finding employment.
Labour Pool:
Companies locating in Eastern Manitoba can attract workers from
within the region, as well as, from the City of Winnipeg, giving
them access to an expanded pool of labour.
Workforce Stability:
One-third of those surveyed had been with their current employer
for over 10 years.
Non-Unionized Environment:
Preference for working in a non-unionized environment willingness
to work shifts.
Hard Workers:
Over one half of self-employed respondents and more than one-third
of full-time workers indicated that on average they work more than
forty hours a week.
Second Languages:
The ability to converse in a second language is a skill possessed
by numerous workers, with over one-half of respondents surveyed
reporting an ability to speak French and one-third reporting a
proficiency in German.
Training & Education:
Three-quarters of survey respondents would be willing to pursue
further training or educational upgrading to improve their
employment qualifications. 1/4 of the workforce is currently
enrolled in such work-related training or educational courses.
Tax Breaks:
Eastern Manitoba residents show a strong level of support for
Business Development in the region and over two-thirds approved of
giving tax breaks to new businesses to attract them into the
region.
While it is widely recognized that areas outside the City of Winnipeg are
experiencing rapid growth, it is remarkable to note that over half of Eastern
Manitoba survey respondents said they were born outside the region. Once they
arrive, however, they appear to become strongly attached to their community and
are committed to staying. Evidently, respondents enjoy living in a rural setting
and are highly satisfied with the quality of life offered in the Eastern region
of Manitoba.
Notwithstanding a powerful emotional attachment to the area, respondents noted
that the need for a good job was fundamental to their well-being and most would
relocate for employment reasons. Under such circumstances, respondents stated a
strong preference for relocating within the Eastman Region, rather that moving
elsewhere in Manitoba. Those most open to the prospect of leaving the region for
employment were men under 35 years of age. Eastman workers are highly mobile and
longer travel distances to work are not generally viewed as a barrier to finding
employment.
Turning briefly to the survey of Winnipeg results reveals a high degree of
interest in new employment opportunities particularly among youth aged 18 to 34
and lower income respondents. Almost half of the mobile Winnipeg workforce is
prepared to commute for over one hour each way to work at a job they enjoy, some
for a moderate salary increase, and some for comparable wages. This indicates
that companies locating in Eastern Manitoba can attract workers from within the
region, as well as, from the City of Winnipeg, giving them access to an expanded
pool of labour.
The prospect of relocating into the Eastman Region was viewed positively by half
of the mobile Winnipeg Workforce surveyed. The appeal of rural living was
particularly striking among certain subpopulations, specifically lower-income
earners, those with less than high-school education and males aged 35 to 54
years. It is interesting to note that those Winnipeg residents most amenable to
relocating to Eastman for a similar wage currently reside in the most
geographically proximate southwest and northwest corners of the City. Those
Winnipeg respondents interested in commuting or relocating into the rural areas
are currently employed as managers, teachers, office workers, sales and customer
service-related industries, as well as, in trades and health-related industries.
Turning again to the attitudes and behaviors of Eastman respondents, it is
apparent that several aspects of the work environment in Eastern Manitoba were
viewed in a highly favourable light, including their working conditions, their
travel distance to work and the relations with their employers and co-workers.
On the other hand, a number of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with their
current rates of pay and indicated a desire for greater career advancement
opportunities in their workplaces.
The workforce of the region is made up primarily of full-time workers working at
one job. There is also a pool of part-time and casual workers and a significant
number of respondents are self-employed.
One of the most salient features of the labour market in Eastern Manitoba as
revealed by survey respondents is the stability of the workforce. One-third of
those surveyed had been with their current employer for over 10 years. Workers
stated a preference for working in a non-unionized environment and were
relatively flexible in their willingness to work shifts. Ninety-five percent of
those surveyed considered themselves to have a good work ethic. This
hard-working attitude is evidenced by the fact that more than one half of
self-employed respondents and more than one-third of full-time workers indicated
that on average they work more than forty hours a week. Workers in the region
also considered themselves to be highly entrepreneurial and close to six in ten
respondents felt they could effectively manage their own businesses.
Clearly, Eastern Manitoba workers possess valuable skills for the modern
workplace. The ability to converse in a second language is a skill possessed by
numerous workers, with over one-half of respondents surveyed reporting an
ability to speak French and fully one-third reporting a proficiency in German.
An impressive three-quarters of the labour force surveyed use computers, most
commonly for the Internet or for e-mail.
Perhaps the most encouraging news to prospective new employers in the region is
the positive attitude of the Eastman workforce towards training and upgrading.
Almost three-quarters of survey respondents indicated that they would be willing
to pursue further training or educational upgrading to improve their employment
qualifications. Indeed, one-quarter of the workforce is currently enrolled in
such work-related training or educational courses.
One of the negative aspects of the workplace in Eastern Manitoba according to
respondents was the perceived lack of opportunities for career advancement.
Fully one- quarter of respondents said they were dissatisfied with their own
promotion opportunities and six in ten noted that there was a lack of good jobs
in the region.
Eastern Manitoba workers were generally quite open to changing jobs or careers
should a suitable employment opportunity arise. Those career areas with a high
level of appeal among respondents included Personnel Management, Natural
Resources, Office Administration and Science and Technology. This bodes well for
the mining and forestry-related opportunities that exist in the Eastern region.
Industries that held relatively low levels of appeal by respondents include
telephone call centres, financial services and retail. This could be the result
of personal experiences or negative preconceptions that may manifest themselves
as barriers when attempting to recruit workers into these industries. As such, a
well-developed public relations campaign promoting the positive aspects these
occupations should be included along with any major recruitment efforts.
Finally, Eastern Manitoba residents showed a strong level of support for
Business Development in the region and over two-thirds approved of giving tax
breaks to new businesses to attract them into the region. There was, however, a
feeling that business development information was not readily available in the
region.
For more information on this survey, please call:
Probe Research Inc.
Suite 206 – 233 Portage Ave.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3B 2A7
Tel: (204) 926-6565
Fax: (204) 926-6566
Website: www.probe-research.com
North
Eastman Region
