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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1988-03-23, Page 7Group tackles agriculture employment By David Enislle CLINTON - The many problems of agricultural employment are being tackl- ed by the Agricultural Employment Ser- vices (AES). Doug Grant, the manager for the Bruce - Grey office of the AES addressed the Huron County Federation of Agriculture during their March 16 meeting here. Generally, the AES takes specific employment opportunities, and matches employees with employers, especially in agriculture and agriculturally related businesses, he explained. , "Our mandate is to look after that situa- tion, and also to set up training, and listen to the labor concerns of farmers," Mr. Grant said. The prggram was founded in Glengarry County in. 1973 when a dairy relief opera- tion was set up. He stated the program operated, "If a dairy farmer was on holidays, or in the hospital, someone with the expertise to milk cows would come in while he is incarcerated, or on vacation." After the success of the dairy relief operation, Mr. Grant noted, "We felt that there was merit to expand it." In fact, the program grew to the point where there are now 72 AES offices across Canada. - . Funded by the federal government, the program is loosely affiliated with Employ- ment and Immigration Canada. Working, in essence, as a contractor, Mr. Grant explained the AES also works with an advisory board, composed of those who are in tune with the agricultural in- dustry. Included on this board can be peo- ple from county milk or pork committees, representatives from minority groups, a resource person from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and a represen- tative from Employment and Immigration Canada. Noting the program, "All centres around unemployment problems," Mr. Grant add- ed another area the AES works in is identi- fying agricultural training requirements. Mr. Grant explained the Community In- dustrial Training Advisory Committee (CITAC) assists in determining the need for training in different areas. He stated that courses can be set up, "To train people lacking skills in a certain area, or who want to, get into a certain area."IMAGE PROBLEMS One factor that is leading to the agricultural employment problems, Mr. Grant said, is the image of farming. "There is very little to entice people into farming. Quite frankly, it's an image problem. "Image is one thing that is sadly lack- ing. For those outside looking in, over the last few years they've heard nothing about farming that is not bad." This dilemma could probably be over- come, Mr. Grant said, if people in Ontario held the same view of fanning as Europeans. "Fanning in Europe is treated like doc- tors or dentists. It is seen with esteem," Mr. Grant said, adding the Europeans at- tach much more importance to farming. Stating that one farmer can't tell another farmer how important his profes- sion is because he already knows, he said that in such urban areas as Toronto, some people don't realize where their milk comes from. DOUG GRANT, is the Agricultural Employ- ment Services manager out of the Owen Sound office. They don't see how important the in- dustry is, he stated, but in Europe, "The general population knows the importance." In Canada, "The consumer doesn't realize what he is eating is the best bargain he gets. I think the prices of com- modities are too low. Until we bring them up, how are we going to get someone in- terested in farming," Mr. Grant asked. He added that people should remember that when a farmer takes something like cattle to Toronto, he can't turn around and bring it home if he doesn't get the price he wants. "He takes what the market bears. If they (consumers) were to pay what it costs to produce, they would pay a heck of a lot more. "We produce far more than we can con- sume and it keeps the prices low." LABOR SHORTAGE The final difficulty in the industry Mr. Grant discussed was the farm labor shor- tage. "It is increasingly harder to get peo- ple interested in farming; to keep them on the farm. "It scares me, it is a real concern of mine. It is something traditionally people did, but it's not a thing people want to do anymore." He attributed this shortage in workers to a number of factors. "Ina lot of cases peo- ple are hired away by bigger wages, it4 all • sorts of things; hours. This works against the farmers." With lower wages, and long working hours, he noted people turn to jobs in other areas such as construction or factory work, where the pay seems better, they get benefits, and they work standard hours. "The availability of labor is economy driven. When the economy is better, they go to construction jobs. We almost need a downturn in the economy for (betterment of) agriculture," Mr. Grant pointed out. One method of combatting the labor predicament is through mobility pro- grams. In his area, Mr. Grantsaid the ma- jor crop is apples. Every day for two mon- ths laborers are bussed in and out from such areas as as Walkerton, Wiarton, Durham and Flesherton. However, he added, "That resource shrinks every year." As Quebec has enlarged their fruit tree crops, and other crops such as broccoli and brussel sprouts, they have been reluctant to allow workers to come to Southern Ontario, and thus add- ed to the shortage of workers. "Basically we have to work harder now than we have in the past. We have to go further to get workers," Mr. Grant said. "This shortage of workers begins to force (labor) prices up, and those that can't af- ford the inflated labor cost either scale down their operations, or do it themselves." Although farmers have difficulties fin- ding seasonal workers, they are also in this dilemma with permanent laborers. In a survey of AES placed permanent position workers, it was discovered the average length of time a person will stay with their job is 18 months. Mr. Grant explained this problem arises partly from the fact that compared to a plant job, where managers can deal with 300 workers, in agriculture there are 300 employers; and all are independent, with different ways of doing things. In this instance, one employer can be do- ing the right things with his employees, and keep them around for years, while so- meone down the road can have a rapid tur- nover of workers. "The guy who has done the right stuff, in the long run is going to be the winner," Mr. Grant said, adding they hope the other guy will see what his neighbor is doing, and change his ways. "We try to make them realize that the people we send them, once properly train- ed, are more valuable than their tractor," he said, as they can last much longer, and be more loyal. "You have to keep them informed, make them feel they are a part of the operation, not just a hired hand," he concluded. Hensall Co-op wins corn contracts The Hensall District Co -Op recently won eight federal contracts totalling more than $3 million to supply corn for the Canadian International Development Agency. Bagging the 17,000 metric tonnes began on February 1. More than 30 extra people were hired to handle the 333,000 50 kg bags and load them onto 275 rail cars for rail ship- ment to Halifax, then on by sea to Mazambi- que and Angola. THE HURON EXPOSITOR. MARCH 23.1988 — 7 MURRAY'S REFRESHMENT by Draught • WEDDINGS Buck & Doe's • Baseball Tournaments • Dances Etc. Don't be disappointed BOOK NOW! For your upcoming Summer Event, .Call Dublin,.,. 345-2172 YOGA Wednesday, April 6 9-10 a.m. Seaforth & District Community Centres REGISTRATION FEE $25.00 for a 10 week program Relaxation Techniques will be taught TO REGISTER Call the Rec Office 527-0882 Let Cook's direct you to the best seed varieties Whether it's edible beans, corn, cereal grains, forages—your seed decisions are based on perform- ance. Your choice of seed supplier should be too. Cook's quality seed varieties, informed advice and local market knowledge can put you on the road to making more profitable cropping decisions. When you're selecting seed, Cook's can steer you in the right direction. Work continued 24 hours a day six days a week, and the final bags were loaded on March 9. Hensall Co -Op manazer Earl Wagner said this contract was the tirgest the local co-op has ever handled. During this time, the Hensall company also filled another ChM contract by bagg- ing 11,000 bags of white beans destined for Mazambique. 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