A recent shift has created more work for recruiters. Many employers now see a recruitment company as their only hope to source real talent. This is gold for a recruitment company though it is hard work to find skilled employees these days. While the quest to source human capital is much the same, the strategies and tactics have altered dramatically.

A recruitment company is usually compensated well and with salaries going up all the time so does their finders fee. The fee is often valued between one to three months of the person’s starting salary. There are variations and one I’d like to point out is a recent contract awarded to Workopolis. They have been awarded a contract to source 30,000 workers and volunteers for the 2010 Olympics. Hardly three months salary per person, actually it is more like $250 per person when the job is done. The contract dollar amount looks pretty juicy ringing in at somewhere between $3,000,000 and $15,000,000 according to a recent report by staff reporter Damian Inwood of the Province Newspaper. Don’t let the numbers fool you, Workopolis has their work cut out for them.

With most everyone working, rounding up that many people will be a serious challenge. I suspect many retirees will come forth along as will many students. Where will the rest come from? Already recruiters are working the streets so to speak, an example of which is at truck stops. Today recruiters are hanging out at favourite truck stops all over Canada buying dinners for truckers to spend time with them and entice them into the oil patch. It’s a big deal to be offered two or three times what you are currently making. Welcome to this crazy new reality.

Maybe you’ve noticed help-wanted signs on three out of four businesses as you walk or drive by. The ads are now espousing signing bonuses and benefits packages. This new reality is full of challenges and opportunities all at the same time. For recruiters, it’s boiling down to importing rather than trying to steal from Peter to pay Paul. Import from where? Other cities, provinces oh and other countries? Yes on all fronts. We will soon see a great appeal even demand by companies to open the borders and let skilled workers come in from outside of Canada.

Maybe you can recall your grandparents or great-grandparents talking about their journey to Canada to be granted a plot of land. One hundred and sixty acres to be exact the condition was they had to build upon it and make it a working farm or ranch. They came in huge numbers from places like Europe, Russia, China and Japan. A new day is dawning for Canada to bring massive amounts of people from afar to fulfill a rapidly depleting labour pool. And, we’ve barely seen the tip of the iceberg.

The influx of newly energized talent will cause another correction in the workplace. This budding new group of employees from afar will come with an elevated work-ethic. They will be willing to work four times as hard for one-quarter the pay. This has been the trend for immigration in the past and we’ll see a more proactive and motivated workforce.

Get ready Canada for quite a ride, especially in the West. What are you doing to get ready? Where are your opportunities? So until next week, remember: “in only two days, tomorrow will be yesterday, lean into it!” As I offer insights, stories, tips and career information, please contact me to share your stories opinions and comments to Don Campbell.