CALGARY — Today’s modern lifestyle and great job opportunities in other fields are making it difficult for railroads to recruit quality workers, says former Canadian National Railway vice-president Paul Miller.
“They’re staying up with it, but it’s not an easy proposition,” Miller told the Informal Economics Canadian fall outlook conference.
He said railways have trouble hiring enough staff despite an average wage of $78,000 per year.
“It’s a real challenge, especially in Alberta and in Saskatchewan, with the other industries that you’re competing with,” said Miller, who is now the University of Alberta’s “railroader-in-residence.”
Read Also
Going beyond “Resistant” on crop seed labels
Variety resistance is getting more specific on crop disease pathogens, but that information must be conveyed in a way that actually helps producers make rotation decisions.
The oil and potash industries offer lucrative alternatives to rail, and many jobs don’t have the same de-mands as working for the railway.
“While the salaries, the rate of pay, are very good … there’s lifestyle issues there as well,” said Miller.
“Railroading is a 24 by seven by 365 occupation, and some of the young people are just not that interested in that anymore.”
As well, some young people at job fairs are put off by how railway re-quirements clash with their recreational choices.
“One of the first things you tell them is, ‘we’ve got to drug test you all,’ ” said Miller. “Well, about half the room gets up and leaves.”
He said railways are forced to find ways to offer more than just high pay.
“You can’t attract the millennials with money alone. You have to have that total, overall package.”
ed.white@producer.com
