Muskoka 2014
To connect Muskoka job seekers to employment opportunities To offer a venue for employers to hire or seek out potential employees To provide networking opportunities
To promote exploration of potential careers An opportunity for a face to face meeting Discover ~ Connect ~ Recruit
Pre-Employment Skill Development Connecting people to employment Assisting employers with hiring
Job Fair Prep Workshops Hammond Transportation Career Discovery
South Muskoka Job Fair - Feb 19, 2014 51 employers participated 496 job seekers attended Muskoka Lakes Job Fair - Feb 20, 2014 14 employers participated 50 job seekers attended Georgian Bay Job Fair - Feb 25, 2014 29 employers participated 82 job seekers attended Huntsville Job Fair - Mar 6, 2014 44 employers participated Approx 500 job seekers
Employers from all of Muskoka participated Job Seekers from all areas of Muskoka represented as well as Emsdale, Orillia, Innisfil, Toronto, Hamilton and Portland ON District Staff, Township of Muskoka Lakes, Township of Georgian Bay, YMCA Employment Centre and local community sponsors
Retail Hospitality Trades Admin Health Other
All job fairs indicate the event was successful based on the employer and job seeker statistical data collected SM Job Fair 26% hired as a direct result I have a job! Julie
District of Muskoka Township of Georgian Bay Township of Muskoka Lakes YMCA Employment Resource Centre Local Sponsors & Supporters Planning Committees
March 26, 2014 South Muskoka Job Fair Stats Prepared by: S. Roberts South Muskoka Job Fair 2014 Statistical Report Table of Contents Overview... 1 Outreach... 1 Job Seeker Demographics... 2 Job Seeker Employment... 3 Job Seeker Testimonials... 4 Employer Success... 4 Employer Experience... 6 Employer Testimonials... 8 Conclusion... 8 Overview On February 19 th, 2014 the District of Muskoka hosted the 2014 South Muskoka Job Fair at the Sportsplex in Bracebridge. The event included 51 employers and attracted 496 job seekers. The survey response rate for the employer surveys was 78%, 40 of the 51 employers completed the survey. The response rate for the job seeker surveys was 26%, 131 of the 496 job seekers completed the survey. Overall, the day was considered a success with 95% of employers and 96% of job seekers stating that they would attend the event again in the future. To further support the success of the job fair, 97% of employers believe that the job fair is an effective method of recruitment in the community. Moreover, 94% of the job seekers indicated that they were either satisfied or very satisfied with the job fair. The following sections of this report will include detailed responses from both employers and job seekers on multiple aspects of the job fair. Outreach The first question to both the employers and the job seekers was how they heard about the job fair. For employers, the majority (73%) heard about the job fair and were recruited directly from the South Muskoka Job Fair Committee. There were multiple modes of outreach indicated by the job seekers, however the majority (35%) heard about the job fair in newspaper ads. Please refer to the charts on the next page for a complete breakdown of modes of outreach. 1
March 26, 2014 South Muskoka Job Fair Stats Prepared by: S. Roberts Percentage 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% How Employers Were Recruited to the Job Fair 22.5% Email from Chamber 72.5% Email from Committee 25% 7.5% 2.5% Phone Call Website Newspaper Ad Method of Recruitment How Job Seekers Heard About the Job Fair Other School 5% 8% Mode of Outreach Radio Newspaper Friend or Family Member 14% 14% 35% Facebook/Online 11% Employment North/ Northern Lights/OW 13% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Percentage Job Seeker Demographics The job seekers who attended the job fair came not only from multiple towns within Muskoka, but also from other areas of Southern Ontario. The majority of the job seekers came from either Bracebridge (58%) or Gravenhurst (17%). The following chart displays a list of towns the job seekers are from: Town / Township Percentage Town / Township Percentage Bracebridge 58% Simcoe County 3% Gravenhurst 17% Southern Ontario 3% Muskoka Lakes 14% Severn 1% Huntsville 8% 2
March 26, 2014 South Muskoka Job Fair Stats Prepared by: S. Roberts The job seekers varied in age from 15 years to over 60 years of age. The most common age category for job seekers is ages 50 to 59 (22%). Please refer to the following chart for a complete age demographic: Percentage 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Job Seeker Age Demographic 19% 22% 12% 15% 15% 14% 4% 15 to 17 18 to 20 21 to 29 30 to 39 40 49 50 59 60+ Age Category (In Years) Job Seeker Employment The sectors or fields of work the job seekers were looking for were fairly widespread. The sectors the clients had to choose from where: Retail, Hospitality, Trades, Administration, Health, and Other. The majority of clients (20%) selected the Other job sector option. Of the job sectors listed above, the second most sought after job sector was Administration (18%). Please see the graph below to view the other job sectors: Job Sectors the Job Seekers Were Looking For Percentage 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 16% 16% 17% 18% 12% 20% Retail Hospitality Trades Admin Health Other Job Sector 3
March 26, 2014 South Muskoka Job Fair Stats Prepared by: S. Roberts As part of a follow up survey, job seekers who included either an email address or phone number on their survey was contacted. The individuals who agreed to answer the survey were then asked whether or not they were hired as a direct result of the job fair. Have Job Seekers Been Hired as a Result of the Job Fair 26% Yes No 74% 26% of job seekers stated they were hired as a direct result of the job fair. The majority (74%) of respondents indicated that they have not been hired. However, some indicated that though they have not been hired, they were contacted and/or interviewed as a result of the job fair. Below are a collection of job seeker testimonials regarding the 2014 South Muskoka Job Fair. Job Seeker Testimonials Had a couple interviews as a result of the job fair and one might be potential employment. I was hired at Sobeys and have an interview at Santa s Village; my first experience of the job fair was excellent, thank you. I was disappointed this year with the fair. I found that because I didn't have a vehicle, wasn't a PSW or a Registered Nurse, construction or landscaping worker that there wasn't much for me there. Employer Success This section of the report will go into detail regarding how successful the employers were with their recruitment on the day of the job fair. Employers collected many resumes throughout the job fair, the majority (49%) collected over 15 resumes. The graph below displays the number of resumes collected by employers. 4
March 26, 2014 South Muskoka Job Fair Stats Prepared by: S. Roberts Number of Resumes Collected by Employers Percentage 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 48.8% 20.1% 12.8% 7.7% 7.7% 2.6% 0 to 3 4 to 6 7 to 9 10 to 12 12 to 14 15+ Number of Resumes The employers then indicated whether or not the amount of resumes they collected was sufficient for the number of positions they were looking to fill. The majority of employers (64%) indicated that the number of resumes they collected was indeed sufficient to fill their open positions. The number of Resumes Sufficient to Fill the Positions Employers Were Looking to Fill 36.1% Yes No 63.9% The employers were asked to rate the candidates that they connected with at the job fair. The rating system was the employers indicating how many candidates fell into each category. The categories were as follows: How many people made a good impression, how many people are you planning on following up with, and how many people are you planning on hiring. 53% of employers agreed that 3 to 6 people made a good first impression. 42% agreed that they are planning on following up with 3 to 6 people. 49% of employers agreed that they are planning on hiring 0 to 2 people. The following graph displays a complete breakdown of the employers ratings: 5
March 26, 2014 South Muskoka Job Fair Stats Prepared by: S. Roberts Employers Rated the Candidates They Connected With at the Job Fair 9.1% How many candidates are you planning to hire? 6.1% 36.4% 10+ 48.5% 7 to 9 How many candidates are you planning on following up with? 13.2% 23.7% 21.1% 42.1% 3 to 6 0 to 2 How many candidates made a good impression? 13.2% 10.5% 23.7% 52.6% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Employer Experience As mentioned in the Overview section, the majority of employers stated that they considered the job fair to be a positive experience and would return again in the future. The employers were asked to share their reasons for attending the job fair. The main reason stated by employers was to hire/seek potential employees (39%). Other reasons also included to hire local, to hire seasonal staff, to network, it was a free event, and that they always attend the annual event. Please see the graph below for a complete breakdown of the employers reasons to attend the job fair. 6
March 26, 2014 South Muskoka Job Fair Stats Prepared by: S. Roberts Reasons Employers Participated in the Job Fair Reasons for Participation Other Attend Annually Free Network Hire Seasonal Hire Local 6.1% 10.2% 8.2% 14.3% 8.2% 14.3% Hire/Seek Potential Employees 38.8% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Percentage The employers were also asked whether or not the timing of the 2014 South Muskoka Job Fair was appropriate for their needs. Most of the employers (80%) agreed that the timing of the event was indeed appropriate. Of the 20% of employers who did not believe the timing was appropriate, 70% of the responses stated that they would like to see the day of the job fair shortened in hours. Appropriate Timing for the Job Fair 20% Yes No 80% Employers had an opportunity to share any changes that they felt would improve the job fair. Only 70% of employers offered possible changes that could improve the event. Changing the hours of the event was the most common suggestion for change (36%). Increasing the amount of community advertising to draw in more job seekers was another common suggestion (32%). Other suggestions included increasing the venue space and organizational changes such as dividing the employers into groups based on fields 7
March 26, 2014 South Muskoka Job Fair Stats Prepared by: S. Roberts and creating a private space for preliminary interviews. Please see the graph below for a complete breakdown of suggestions for improvement. 70% of Employers Stated Areas of Improvement for the Job Fair Organization Changes 20% Areas of Improvement Increase Space Increase Community Advertising 12% 32% Change Time of Event 36% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Percentage Employer Testimonials Morning was nice and busy, afternoon was a little slower but good for networking. We come every year, lots of great applicants. Extremely well organized great location helpful staff excellent lunch very professional "feel" to the day well done :) It ran too long in to the day, most exhibitors packed up before the posted end time. Conclusion Overall, the event was a success for both the employers and job seekers. There are some recommendations for possible changes for the planning committee to consider in the future such as running newspaper ads longer, creating an interview space, and assess the hours of the job fair. Regardless of changes, 95% of employers and 96% of job seekers stating that they would attend the event again in the future which is a representation of the hard work and efforts on behalf of the 2014 South Muskoka Job Fair Committee. 8
2014 Georgian Bay Job Fair Report Summary Purpose The purpose of the job fair remains the same as previous years and this includes: 1. Provide residents with the opportunity to network with local employers. 2. Allow local employers to network with each other. 3. Inform the unemployed and under-employed residents of local job opportunities. 4. Increase local employer awareness of local residents potential and skills in seeking appropriate candidates for the job openings. 5. Prepare a final report that demonstrates the success of the event. 6. Prepare a comparison report between 2012, 2013 and 2014 job fairs to illustrate the success of this event and response to employer and participant feedback. 7. Demonstrate this event is sustainable in the absence of grant funding Employers & Employment Sectors Employers (2012-2014 comparison) Year Number of employers 2012 25 2013 35 2014 29 Between 2012 and 2013, there was a 41% increase in the number of employers that participated in the job fair and between 2013 and 2014 there was a 45% decrease but a 53% increase between 2012 and 2014. Summary Employment/ Employment Sectors 2012 job fair had 25 employers 2013 job fair had 35 employers 2014 job fair had 29 employers 10 employers attended all 3 job fairs 2012-2014 (average 29% of all employers) 6 employers attended 2012 and 2013 job fairs (average 18%) 7 employers attended in 2012 only (average 24%) 7 employers attended in 2013 only (average 24%) 7 new employers attended in 2014 (average 24%) 12 employers attended in 2013 and 2014 (41%)
Employers that did not attend all 3 job fairs shared the following reasons Business was no longer in operation Unable to release staff for the job fair Business did not respond to request to participate Mailing address and email address changed and businesses were unaware of the job fair Businesses reported on the evaluations that there was a lack of qualified candidates for their job postings The number of employers decreased this year for the 2014 job fair. Reasons for the decrease included; Reduced advertising budget between 2013 and 2014 Earlier date selected for job fair and less time available for recruitment Employers had to pay a fee to participate in the 2014 job fair The 2013 and 2014 employer evaluations, indicated that employers found that many applicants were not prepared, did not have resumes or the qualifications for the jobs posted and may have not participated this year for those reasons. This year s employer evaluation asked employers how many candidates they would consider hiring, 52% responded between 1-3 candidates and 32% responded between 3-5 candidates. In response to participant evaluations, this year recruitment focussed on acquiring more businesses involved in the construction industry. The job fair date was held in late February to recruit more businesses in this industry as these organizations hire in early February to be prepared for the upcoming construction season. However, only 1 employer represented this industry sector although many construction companies were contacted. Reasons may include: Staff recruitment is done at an earlier time in the year before the end of February Positions require a very skilled work force with specific skills requiring licensing such as class D, Class AZ, forklift, heavy equipment operators, traffic control and this may change their recruitment process Postings are filled by returning seasonal staff Staffing levels are not anticipated to increase due to the change in the construction industry in the last 2-3 years with a decline in the number of staff hired Employment sectors represented in new employers in 2014 include: Food services Retail Resort accommodation
Participants Participants (2012-2014 comparison) Number of Participants 2012 2013 2014 144 212 82 2012 6% of participants were OW/ODSP clients 2013 10% of participants were OW/ODSP clients 2014 7% of participants were OW/ODSP clients Reasons for the significant decrease in participants include: Decrease in advertising budget due to lack of funding that was available in 2013 as a result of the Muskoka Futures Grant and unable to advertise on the radio Advertising otherwise was unchanged with a community mail out, posters, calling all OW / ODSP clients The date coincided with the reading week at community colleges but the hours were during the day making it difficult for high school students to attend Again as a result of the Muskoka Futures Grant in 2013, we were able to provide a door prize that was an incentive for residents to attend Lastly, and most likely the most significant factor is the fact that Solar Farms have hired over 100 local residents in the near vicinity and hourly wages are high starting at $18.00 to $20.00 per hour for unskilled workers for year round work and this would impact the number of participants attending. One hundred jobs equates to 100 families being able to have a good income in their own community. Prepared by J. Richards