| |
|
| |
|
One of the greatest challenges facing agriculture today is the current lack of qualified labour, an issue that continues to increase. In fact, a recently published labour market report from the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council projects that almost 1 of every 3 jobs within the agriculture sector will be vacant by 2030, unless drastic measures are taken. This is a grave concern for those who already struggle to find quality employees due to challenges like remote rural locations, finding experienced applicants and the competitive wages offered in other industries.
|
| |
|
Attracting high-quality employees
|
| |
|
To assist you with your HR planning we’ve compiled a list of strategies to attract and retain high-quality employees. Comprised of best practices used by HR from both the agricultural and corporate sectors, implementing this approach can help effectively staff your farm for the upcoming season and beyond:
|
| |
1. Be strategic in your hiring
- Develop a clear hiring process.
- Start early and widen your search, especially for remote locations.
- Make postings strategic and professional to attract the right candidates.
- Clearly define expectations and key skills to avoid confusion.
- Know your non-negotiables for must-have skills vs. those you can teach.
2. Maximize the interview stage
- Shortlist applicants by skillset and then interview for cultural fit.
- Use the interview to gauge personality and alignment with values.
- Ask situational questions to assess self-awareness and integrity.
- Discuss compensation openly to ensure mutual satisfaction.
- Explore additional skills the candidate could bring to your operation.
|
| |
|
Retaining Top Talent
|
| |
|
Now that your new employee is in the door it’s all about building and implementing a strategic retention plan that ensures they continue to grow and see the rewards of their development. This includes:
|
| |
1. Foster a sense of belonging and inclusion:
- Make employees feel welcome to prevent turnover.
- Encourage social and work-related interactions for feedback and growth.
- Ensure respectful workplace policies and conflict resolution practices are clear.
2. Proper onboarding and training:
- Dedicating time to personally onboard and train individuals, to build trust and validate hiring decisions.
- Demonstrate pride in your operation and invest in their personal development.
- Ensure they understand all farm safety protocols and how to safely use all necessary equipment and machinery.
3. Good goal planning:
- Set achievable goals with timelines and follow-up regularly.
- Align goals with both operational needs and employee growth.
- Incorporate leadership opportunities to boost confidence and skills.
- Regular reviews ensure goals stay relevant.
4. Motivation and incentives:
- Understand employee ambitions to create proper incentives.
- Simple recognition like thank-yous or bonuses for meeting goals can drive retention.
- Consider sweat equity for employees seeking future ownership.
5. Communication is everything:
- Regular check-ins show you care about their well-being.
- Ask for feedback on job satisfaction and operational improvements.
- Provide constructive feedback and celebrate their achievements.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
*This article is intended as general information only and is not to be relied upon as constituting legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. Information presented is believed to be factual and up-to-date but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the authors as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or any of its affiliates.
®/™Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada.
RBC Royal Bank | Royal Bank of Canada l RBC Waterpark Place, 88 Queens Quay West, 12th Floor, Toronto, ON, M5J 0B8, Canada | www.rbcroyalbank.com
**Source: Analysis on artificial intelligence use by businesses in Canada, second quarter of 2024 (Stats Canada, 2024)
|
|
| |
|
|
