Focusing on the Human Resource Needs of Canada's Forest Products Sector - Presentation to: College of Alberta Professional Forest Technologists
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Focusing on the Human Resource Needs
of Canada’s Forest Products Sector
Presentation to:
College of Alberta Professional Forest Technologists
Edmonton, AB – April 15th, 2011
Presentation Agenda • After Tough Times – A Brighter Future • Forest Products Sector Council – Background – Governance and structure • Two Key Project Areas • Final thoughts
A Brighter Future
• The outlook for the mid to long term future is looking more
optimistic – most industry stakeholders suggest recovery is on
the horizon
– Demand for many traditional products is returning
– Growth in new markets represent potential for recovery in the
medium to long term
– Efforts to increase use of Canadian wood are starting to generate
some results
– New products and processes – biomass, bio-energy, composites –
are beginning to take hold
• Best prospect for the future rests with a strong traditional
industry aligned with further transformation into new products,
processes, and markets
A Bit About FPSC-CSPF y The Forest Products Sector Council was established in June of 2008. y Council is governed and directed by an industry- led Board of Directors y The Council’s work focuses on primary forest products operations including: ◦ Silviculture ◦ Logging ◦ Lumber, board and panel operations ◦ Pulp ◦ Newsprint ◦ Specialty papers ◦ Fine papers
The Changing Need for Workers • As demand returns, and as the workforce ages, industry will need to find ways to retain knowledge and to recruit and train new workers – More workers will need to be recruited • As changes in processes and products increase workers will need updated skills and knowledge to deal with the demands of changing technologies – Literacy and computer skills will be high priorities
Forest Products Industry Sector Study
• The sector study is a foundational piece for the
Council – it provides the basis to develop plans and
projects going forward
• Sector study develops a profile for future workforce
needs – including numbers of workers (by region and
sub sector), knowledge / skill / training needs, critical
occupations etc.
• Study looks at the need for changing occupations as
a result of industry restructuring, technological
changes and economic scenarios
• Develops conclusions and a path forward
Forecasting Future Demand • As one of the early stages of the work, FPSC-CSPF completed a “scenario planning exercise” • Exercise developed four projections of future labour force needs – based on the influence of a number of key factors: – Housing starts (US and domestic) – GDP and productivity – Exchange rates – Market expansion – Technological advancements
Four Projections
• Green – most optimistic • Brown
– Significant recovery in US – Milder recovery in US housing
housing / demand for traditional – Slower expansion into new
products markets
– Continued expansion in – Slower introduction of new
markets for Canadian products products and processes
– Aggressive implementation of
new products and processes
• Red – least optimistic
– Limited recovery in US housing
• Blue – Optimistic
– Minimal market expansion or
– Good recovery in US housing product / process introduction
– Moderate expansion in markets – “Double Dip” in US economy
for Canadian products and prospect of slowdown
– Continued implementation of towards 2020
new products and processesTotal Employment Demand -
CanadaEmployment Demand - Prairies
34
32
30
28
26 Green
24 Blue
22 Brown
20 Red
18
16
14
2009 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
c. 10,000 baseKey HR Challenges for the
Sector
• Meeting Future Demands for Labour
– Recruitment – of new workers to meet replacement
demand and projected growth in employment
– Retention – of existing workforce and overcoming losses
due to migration to other sectors and turnover due to
retirement
• Meeting Future Skills Demands
– Skills development – to meet demands of industry in
transformation and for new entrants
– Knowledge transfer – from older workers to newer
entrantsSome Key Factors • Current workforce is 85% male • 17% of workforce has less than a high school diploma, versus 12% for all industries • 39% of workforce has post-secondary certification compared to 35% for all industries • The sector’s workforce is older than average, c. 1/3 of the sector’s workforce will retire by 2020, compared to approx. 20% for the entire workforce • Workforce skill requirements are increasing, due to mechanization, computerization and transformation
Forest Products Sector –
An Older Workforce
40
35
30
25
20 Forest products
15 Entire workforce
10
5
0
15‐24 25‐34 35‐44 45‐54 55+
Sources: Statistics Canada; The Conference Board of Canada.Next Steps • The study has identified a number of key issues, challenges and opportunities associated with meeting future labour force demand • A final report, including conclusions and next steps, will be released on May 11th, 2011 at the 24th Annual Global Forest Conference (Vancouver) • Copies of the summary report will be available in hard copy or for download at www.fpsc-cspf.ca
Apprenticeship and Regulated
Occupations
• The industry’s workforce includes:
– workers that are employed in the trades or in similar occupations
– workers employed in regulated or “named” occupations
• Formal training and certification can help to increase
mobility, employment stability for workers and improve
industry’s image
• Sector Study findings point to significant demand
pressures for workers in these areas – over the next
decade – and the need for response in terms of meeting
those needsNext Steps
• Project began in the latter part of 2009 and will
conclude in the fall of 2011.
• Over the course of the next few weeks FPSC-CSPF
will develop a “environmental scan” to determine:
– Current regulated occupations active within the sector – at
present and into the near future
– Baseline data for workforce participation
– Issues and challenges associated with moving forward
• This data will inform a strategy and path forward that
will be released in the fall of 2011A Coordinated Effort • The challenges facing the sector – in terms of meeting its future HR needs – are varied and complex • FPSC-CSPF recognizes its role and sees these projects as additional “tools” for the sector • No one group or single set of initiatives can be expected to affect change on all of the issues impacting the industry • FPSC-CSPF is looking to partner and collaborate with other organizations and groups who are focused on HR and labour market issues
Some Final Thoughts • While in some areas, the industry may still face some uncertain times in the short term, overall indications suggest we are well placed to profit from future demands for forest products • To capitalize on future opportunities, the sector will have a continuing need for highly skilled and educated workers – particularly in technical and trades based disciplines • Having the right people, with the right skills, at the right place and time will be essential to realize the promise of the future
Questions??
75 rue Albert Street
Suite/Bureau 209
Ottawa ON K1P 5E7
Ph: 613.234.0901
info@fpsc-cspf.ca
www.fpsc-cspf.ca
Thank you !!
Funded by the Government of Canada's Sector Council Program
The opinions and interpretations in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Government of CanadaYou can also read
