ILOs a positive source for rural emoloyment

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

Livestock production has always been part of the make-up of farming in the province.

The move to establishing intensive livestock operations (ILOs) is a logical step based on that history, and is a good source of economic development for rural and small-town Saskatchewan. Not only does it integrate well with other value-added initiatives, such as meat packing plants or ethanol facilities, it also provides a steady stream of employment to keep young people and families in the region.

Jim Birch, a Human Resources Development Specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF), has witnessed the positive economic impact these enterprises have had on rural Saskatchewan.

“ILOs and cow-calf operations are recognized as good employers, and are more and more able to offer year-round work. They are even bringing people back to the province to be closer to friends and family members,” Birch said.

“The operations are paying competitive wages, and the larger ones regularly offer benefit packages. They offer medical and dental plans, long- and short-term disability and assistance in purchasing RSPs. They offer flexible hours, making it possible for part-time work, which is particularly attractive for parents with school-age kids. In some cases, rural spouses are entering or re-entering the work force as a result of ILOs in their area, too.”

Another aspect that Birch feels appeals to many potential employees is the diversity of work ILOs offer, depending on the type of livestock raised there. For example, the pork production units offer opportunities for those preferring inside work. Feedlots appeal to those preferring to work mainly outdoors with cattle. Dairy units offer a variety of different jobs—year-round work inside the barns and seasonal work outside putting up feed.

Birch says that ILO operators are increasingly willing to invest in education and training opportunities for their employees. “This sort of commitment often helps employers retain their staff for the long haul. Employees obtain satisfaction from acquiring new skills, and appreciate the employer providing them with opportunities to better themselves,” he noted.

“Employers also know that assets like skills training and safety courses raise the productivity, know-how and morale of their workforces, which only benefits the profitability and success of their operations.”

ILOs are able to offer on-site training through the Saskatchewan Institutes of Applied Science and Technology, regional colleges or SAF’s Green Certificate Training program, leading to certification. The very large operations sometimes offer in-house training developed within the company.

Even so, like many sectors of the economy today, ILOs can also encounter difficulty finding enough skilled workers to meet their needs. For its part, Birch says that SAF is willing to offer assistance in a number of ways to help these operations address their human resource challenges.

“We can link employers with a variety of agencies that will help them to recruit or locate willing employees. We can provide tips on preparing job descriptions and writing job advertisements. We can direct them to contacts for interpreting labour legislation,” he said.

Birch noted that SAF is co-operating with Métis employment agencies and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations to ensure that aboriginal workers are aware of opportunities in the livestock production and processing sectors.

SAF also maintains a relationship with the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program, under which employers identify and nominate workers in other countries to come to Saskatchewan to fill holes in the workforce. “We can provide assistance to producers or ILO managers wishing to investigate this option, as well,” Birch said.

For more information, contact:
Jim Birch, PAg., Human Resources Development Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 787-8191
E-mail: jbirch@agr.gov.sk.ca