As an employer, you want to find the best candidates for the jobs you create. You want to hire people with the skills, talent and characteristics that can add to your company’s growth and success.

Consider non-traditional sources for skilled workers, including youth, mature workers, Aboriginal people, persons with disabilities, and new immigrants. By creating a vibrant, diverse workforce, these groups can help strengthen your workplace.

To learn more, see WorkBC’s Under the Labour Radar - Aboriginal People, Youth, Women and Persons with Disabilities.

Recruiting Youth

If you’re looking to hire youth, check Youth Canada’s Employers of Youth for a list of relevant programs and services.

If you’re an employer the construction industry looking to recruit youth, check out BladeRunners. This program helps construction contractors fill entry-level positions with motivated at-risk youth ages 15 to 30.

Recruiting Aboriginal People

Aboriginal people make up one of the fastest-growing populations in B.C. This readily available workforce is increasingly educated and eager to play an active role in B.C.'s economy.

Visit the Aboriginal Human Resources Council to find out how you can connect with Aboriginal candidates.

Recruiting Mature Workers

Mature workers have a wealth of knowledge and a range of experience – and they can contribute greatly to the workplace. To learn more, see WorkBC’s It’s About Ability - How to Attract, Retain and Engage Mature Workers.

Many local programs are designed to connect mature workers with employers. Check TIOW programs and contacts to find a program in your area.

Are you a business or non-profit organization in the South Okanagan region? Use ThirdQuarter to post jobs and access an inventory of skilled and experienced people looking for work. You’ll also find tools to help incorporate mature workers into your workplace. Sponsored by the provincial Chambers of Commerce and others across Canada, the program is funded by the Government of Canada’s Office of Literacy and Essential Skills.

Recruiting Persons with Disabilities

If you’re interested in hiring persons with disabilities, the B.C. government’s WorkAble Solutions program can connect you with the right candidate. This program also has an employer toolkit to help you recruit and retain employees.

Also check WorkSafe BC’s Hire a Worker program. It connects B.C. employers with previously injured workers. When you submit a job posting, the Hire a Worker program will find a match from a pool of job-ready workers.

Looking for more information? A Difference of Ability (DVD) explains some of the barriers that prevent job seekers with disabilities from connecting with employers and how that can change.

Recruiting Immigrants and Foreign Workers

Immigrants and foreign workers make up a large potential workforce group. For more, check out our section on hiring workers already in B.C. and recruiting foreign workers.

Recruiting Workers from Other Provinces and Territories

Certified workers in occupations and trades from other provinces and territories across Canada are also a potential source of labour to consider.

If you’re interested in hiring someone from elsewhere in Canada, you can do so without additional costs or delays related to B.C. certification. Visit the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation website for more.