2023 Survey of Large (or Growing) Employers in Greater Victoria

Intro

This survey will compile issues facing large - or growth-oriented - employers in Greater Victoria. Responses will be aggregated (to protect privacy) and shared with governments at all levels as part of advocacy efforts to improve our region's business climate and prospects for current and future job creation.

Questions will ask about labour, supply-chain & business climate challenges, as well as a prompt to explore key opportunities in 2023 & beyond.

The format is designed for 9-10 minutes max.

To receive a copy of the results, subscribe to the South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP) newsletter at the link below the survey. Thank-you for participating!

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* 1. Name of company or organization:

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* 2. Primary sector that the company or organization operates within:

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* 3. How many employees does the company or org currently have (not including open or unfilled positions)?

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* 4. In 2023, how do you expect your workforce will change?

Stay the same

Increase slightly (2-9%)

Increase substantially (10+%)

Decrease slightly (2-9%)

Decrease substantially (10+%)

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* 5. How many open positions does your company or organization currently have (i.e. positions that are seeking qualified applicants)?

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* 6. What type of positions have been most difficult to fill in recent months? (score each, if not applicable, select N/A)

	N/A	1 - Not difficult to fill with qualified candidates	2 - Some difficulty but multiple candidates to select from by the end of the process	3 - It's a challenge to find candidates for open positions.	4 - We cannot find candidates or have had difficulty time and time again.
Entry-level or lower-skilled positions	Entry-level or lower-skilled positions N/A	Entry-level or lower-skilled positions 1 - Not difficult to fill with qualified candidates	Entry-level or lower-skilled positions 2 - Some difficulty but multiple candidates to select from by the end of the process	Entry-level or lower-skilled positions 3 - It's a challenge to find candidates for open positions.	Entry-level or lower-skilled positions 4 - We cannot find candidates or have had difficulty time and time again.
Positions for new or recent graduates of post-secondary institutions or co-op positions	Positions for new or recent graduates of post-secondary institutions or co-op positions N/A	Positions for new or recent graduates of post-secondary institutions or co-op positions 1 - Not difficult to fill with qualified candidates	Positions for new or recent graduates of post-secondary institutions or co-op positions 2 - Some difficulty but multiple candidates to select from by the end of the process	Positions for new or recent graduates of post-secondary institutions or co-op positions 3 - It's a challenge to find candidates for open positions.	Positions for new or recent graduates of post-secondary institutions or co-op positions 4 - We cannot find candidates or have had difficulty time and time again.
Mid-range or mid-career experienced personnel (but non-management)	Mid-range or mid-career experienced personnel (but non-management) N/A	Mid-range or mid-career experienced personnel (but non-management) 1 - Not difficult to fill with qualified candidates	Mid-range or mid-career experienced personnel (but non-management) 2 - Some difficulty but multiple candidates to select from by the end of the process	Mid-range or mid-career experienced personnel (but non-management) 3 - It's a challenge to find candidates for open positions.	Mid-range or mid-career experienced personnel (but non-management) 4 - We cannot find candidates or have had difficulty time and time again.
Middle management or specialized management with experience	Middle management or specialized management with experience N/A	Middle management or specialized management with experience 1 - Not difficult to fill with qualified candidates	Middle management or specialized management with experience 2 - Some difficulty but multiple candidates to select from by the end of the process	Middle management or specialized management with experience 3 - It's a challenge to find candidates for open positions.	Middle management or specialized management with experience 4 - We cannot find candidates or have had difficulty time and time again.
Executive level management or senior leadership	Executive level management or senior leadership N/A	Executive level management or senior leadership 1 - Not difficult to fill with qualified candidates	Executive level management or senior leadership 2 - Some difficulty but multiple candidates to select from by the end of the process	Executive level management or senior leadership 3 - It's a challenge to find candidates for open positions.	Executive level management or senior leadership 4 - We cannot find candidates or have had difficulty time and time again.

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* 7. How has the hiring process changed specifically in the last 9-12 months? (check the appropriate boxes)

Listings stay open longer with less qualified applicants

Listings are open for an average amount of time (relative to last 1-3 year average)

Listings are open and receive qualified applicants faster than in previous 1-3 year average

We are hiring from outside the region and allowing remote working

We are hiring from outside the region and helping personnel move to the region

Other (please specify)

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* 8. From your hiring and retention activities in recent months, please give us some perspective on the barriers to finding qualified applicants (or keeping qualified personnel)?

	This isn't a concern for us	This is a concern but hasn't impacted us yet	This is an issue that is having some impact on us	This is among our top concerns/issues	This is our top issue/concern
Housing and affordability pressures driving people away from the Greater Victoria region	Housing and affordability pressures driving people away from the Greater Victoria region This isn't a concern for us	Housing and affordability pressures driving people away from the Greater Victoria region This is a concern but hasn't impacted us yet	Housing and affordability pressures driving people away from the Greater Victoria region This is an issue that is having some impact on us	Housing and affordability pressures driving people away from the Greater Victoria region This is among our top concerns/issues	Housing and affordability pressures driving people away from the Greater Victoria region This is our top issue/concern
Applicants receiving multiple offers from within the Greater Victoria region	Applicants receiving multiple offers from within the Greater Victoria region This isn't a concern for us	Applicants receiving multiple offers from within the Greater Victoria region This is a concern but hasn't impacted us yet	Applicants receiving multiple offers from within the Greater Victoria region This is an issue that is having some impact on us	Applicants receiving multiple offers from within the Greater Victoria region This is among our top concerns/issues	Applicants receiving multiple offers from within the Greater Victoria region This is our top issue/concern
Applicants seem to be receiving offers from outside the region (but are staying here to work remotely)	Applicants seem to be receiving offers from outside the region (but are staying here to work remotely) This isn't a concern for us	Applicants seem to be receiving offers from outside the region (but are staying here to work remotely) This is a concern but hasn't impacted us yet	Applicants seem to be receiving offers from outside the region (but are staying here to work remotely) This is an issue that is having some impact on us	Applicants seem to be receiving offers from outside the region (but are staying here to work remotely) This is among our top concerns/issues	Applicants seem to be receiving offers from outside the region (but are staying here to work remotely) This is our top issue/concern
Applicants just don't seem to have the right qualifications for our open positions	Applicants just don't seem to have the right qualifications for our open positions This isn't a concern for us	Applicants just don't seem to have the right qualifications for our open positions This is a concern but hasn't impacted us yet	Applicants just don't seem to have the right qualifications for our open positions This is an issue that is having some impact on us	Applicants just don't seem to have the right qualifications for our open positions This is among our top concerns/issues	Applicants just don't seem to have the right qualifications for our open positions This is our top issue/concern
Applicants or employees are moving away for other career opportunities (not necessarily related to affordability issues)	Applicants or employees are moving away for other career opportunities (not necessarily related to affordability issues) This isn't a concern for us	Applicants or employees are moving away for other career opportunities (not necessarily related to affordability issues) This is a concern but hasn't impacted us yet	Applicants or employees are moving away for other career opportunities (not necessarily related to affordability issues) This is an issue that is having some impact on us	Applicants or employees are moving away for other career opportunities (not necessarily related to affordability issues) This is among our top concerns/issues	Applicants or employees are moving away for other career opportunities (not necessarily related to affordability issues) This is our top issue/concern

Other (please specify)

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* 9. With regard to wages and salaries you offer: please select the compensation levels that best align to your practices (click N/A if you don't hire at certain levels):

	1 - We offer below market (but have other perks)	2 - We try to stay close to market level	3 - We offer above market compensation	Not applicable
Entry-level or low skill positions	Entry-level or low skill positions 1 - We offer below market (but have other perks)	Entry-level or low skill positions 2 - We try to stay close to market level	Entry-level or low skill positions 3 - We offer above market compensation	Entry-level or low skill positions Not applicable
Experienced or technical (non-management) positions	Experienced or technical (non-management) positions 1 - We offer below market (but have other perks)	Experienced or technical (non-management) positions 2 - We try to stay close to market level	Experienced or technical (non-management) positions 3 - We offer above market compensation	Experienced or technical (non-management) positions Not applicable
Middle management positions	Middle management positions 1 - We offer below market (but have other perks)	Middle management positions 2 - We try to stay close to market level	Middle management positions 3 - We offer above market compensation	Middle management positions Not applicable
Executive level positions	Executive level positions 1 - We offer below market (but have other perks)	Executive level positions 2 - We try to stay close to market level	Executive level positions 3 - We offer above market compensation	Executive level positions Not applicable

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* 10. A number of factors are impacting access to input supplies (component parts, packaging, specialized services, etc). What has been your experience in the last 12 months with regard to supply-chain issues (please use the sliding scale to reflect closest answer. Skip if not relevant.):

No issues with supply-chains (last 12 months)

Still major issues, but consistent relative to last 12 months

Issues have gotten worse and we've had to drastically change our approach

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 11. What are some potential solutions to supply-chain issues that should be explored by government and/or industry associations or other parties?

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* 12. Please rank the following according to what you perceive will be the most significant barriers to growth in 2023:

Inflation and other cost or pricing pressures

N/A

Workforce recruitment

N/A

Supply-chain issues

N/A

Affordability & housing pressures in the region

N/A

Uncertain market conditions (ie. potential downturn)

N/A

More competitors entering the market (increased consumer choice, including e-commerce)

N/A

Government regulation/restrictions (provincial / federal / cross-border)

N/A

Government regulation/restrictions (municipal or other local)

N/A

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* 13. Further to above, are there any other barriers that you think should be brought forward through advocacy efforts?

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* 14. What is (are) your top opportunity for growth in 2023 (immediate-term):

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* 15. What is (are) big opportunity(ies) that the region should pursue that would improve our regional economy or our ability to attract talent, investment and the next generation of entrepreneurs?

This survey is produced by the South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP). To receive the results of the survey, please visit our website and sign-up for our newsletter: www.southislandprosperity.ca