Issue 22 - August, 2024 - CAMA

Tech Corner: The Technician Skills Gap in Canada

The maintenance industry is currently facing a significant staffing crisis, according to various studies and reports. A 2021 survey found that more than 30% of maintenance managers identified finding skilled technicians and mechanics as their biggest post-pandemic challenge, leading to manpower shortages.

Skills Deficit: Finding Skilled Maintenance Workers

One of the most pressing issues for operators and suppliers in the vending and micro-market industries today is the skills shortage. As experienced veterans retire or leave the industry, there are fewer qualified individuals to replace them. The growing complexity of technology used in maintenance requires more digitally-skilled workers, which are currently in short supply. According to a US study, the manufacturing industry alone is expected to face a shortage of 90,000 skilled technicians by 2030. Additionally, 57.5% of businesses in Canada report that technical, practical, or job-specific skills are the most significant gaps in their workforce. Training often falls short of addressing the broader educational needs of workers. This gap is critical, as nearly 56.1% of Canadian businesses in 2021 reported that their workforce was not fully proficient at performing their required tasks.

Solutions:

• Upskilling existing machine operators to handle simple maintenance tasks can free up skilled technicians for more complex work.

• Conducting comprehensive training needs analyses can ensure that the training provided is relevant and effective.
• Offering certification opportunities and supporting employees in achieving these can enhance the skill levels within a company.

Culture and Change Management

A positive organizational culture is crucial for attracting, engaging, and retaining talent. However, the maintenance industry often struggles with a reactive mindset, where fixing problems only after they occur is the norm. This approach can be difficult to change, especially for older technicians accustomed to working in a certain way for many years. Staff shortages in maintenance departments can lead to communication breakdowns, resulting in missed tasks, duplicated work, and increased operational costs. In fact, poor coordination is a significant contributor to decreased productivity across organizations.

Solutions:

• Simplifying the hierarchy and reducing reporting lines can make the organization more agile and responsive to change.

• Standardizing procedures and workflows through checklists and standard operating procedures can minimize miscommunication.

Conclusion

The shortage of skilled workers in both technician and operator roles is a critical issue and large deficits are expected to be seen in Canada in the coming years. More than half of Canadian businesses report a gap in technical skills, with problem-solving abilities also in short supply. The need for technicians, in particular, is becoming increasingly urgent as the industry evolves and automation becomes more prevalent.

To address these challenges, companies must invest in continuous education and training to keep their workforce updated. By developing targeted training programs, forming partnerships with educational institutions, and adopting a culture of continuous learning, companies can better equip their staff to meet the demands of the modern maintenance industry. Moreover, the integration of skilled immigrants and the encouragement of lifelong learning can help close the skills gap and ensure that the workforce remains competitive on a global scale.

CAMA is continuously looking for new avenues to support our members and we are glad to offer discounted access to the NAMA training courses. As we look forward to 2025, we will be working on new initiatives to further support the network of vending, micro market and OCS businesses in Canada.