Atlantic Fish + Seafood Processing Workforce Survey Report...Fish Processing Labourer Top key...

June 2018

Atlantic Fish + Seafood

Processing Workforce

Survey ReportLABOUR MARKET INFORMATION

REPORT SERIES

Atlantic Seafood Workforce Survey Findings | June 2018 ©Food Processing Skills Canada 2

This project was funded by the Government of Canada’s Sectoral Initiatives

Program.

The opinions and interpretations in this publication are those of the author

and do not necessarily reflect those of the Government of Canada.

ISBN 978-1-989541-01-2

Copyright © 2019 Food Processing Skills Canada

All rights reserved. The use of any part of this publication, whether it is

reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any

means (including electronic, mechanical, photographic, photocopying or

recording), without the prior written permission of the Food Processing Skills

Canada is an infringement of copyright law.

Food Processing Skills Canada 201 – 3030 Conroy Road Ottawa, Ontario K1G 6C2

Tel. (613) 237-7988

Toll Free: 1-877-963-7472

Fax: 613-237-9939

[email protected]

Atlantic Seafood Workforce Survey Findings | June 2018 ©Food Processing Skills Canada

Seafood Processors SurveyExecutive Summary

▪ Survey suggests about 1-in-5 (22%) seafood processors, representing 40% of the workforce, employed workers through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), which translates to approximately 7% of industry positions filled by temporary foreign workers over the past year. Over 40% of lobster processors used the TFWP, accounting for 14% positions.

▪ On “average” seafood processors employed 108 workers, with one-quarter (24%) employing less than 10, and 14% employing 200+. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of Atlantic Canada’s seafood processing workforce was reported as part-time or seasonal, a factor which can exacerbate hiring challenges.

▪ The industry is heavily dependent on exports. Overall, 84% of participants reported exporting to the US and 68% export internationally

▪ In total n=100 Atlantic seafood processing employers participated in the survey conducted by Ipsos SA between December 30th, 2017 and April 23rd, 2018 using telephone and on-line methodologies. It is estimated that the Seafood processor survey participants represent two-thirds (69%) of the total industry employment.

▪ Survey findings suggest the overwhelming majority of seafood processors in Canada are experiencing labour shortages and recruitment challenges. 83% of seafood processors report some form of recruitment challenges, with nearly one-fifth of seafood processors report not being able to fill positions.

▪ Recruitment challenges result in more than 1-in-10 jobs left unfilled. On average, employers reported 11% of paid positions vacant over the year – This translates to 1,800 unfilled positions.

▪ Management, shellfish plant workers and supervisors were the top key occupations cited by seafood processors while vacancies for general production workers were hardest to fill.

▪ Atlantic seafood processors hired an estimated 6,300 new workers over the past year. This represents a 40% turnover rate for key occupations in the industry.

▪ The results suggest the industry is highly dependent on older workers with 37% filled by workers aged 55+. This is well above the all industry average of 21% and suggest rising retirements will increase recruitment challenges in coming years.

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Seafood Processors SurveyOverview

▪ Seafood processor profile

▪ Activity and product

▪ Export markets

▪ Workforce profile

▪ Employment

▪ Vacancies

▪ Workforce availability and Recruitment

▪ Wages and Benefits

▪ Workforce recruitment

▪ Methodology

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Atlantic Canada NB NS NL PE

N=100 23 (23%) 39 (39%) 18 (18%) 20(20%)

Who we heard from:

▪ n=100 seafood processing employers surveyed.

▪ Seafood processors surveyed employed 10,816 workers, or just over two-thirds (69%) of the total industry workforce*.

▪ Representative distribution across regions and segments.

* According to the 2016 Census Canada’s Seafood product manufacturing industry (NAICS 3117) employed 15,670 workers in 2016

69%


Seafood Processor Profile

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The majority of processors are engaged in preparation and packaging. Most (75%) process shellfish, as well as some type of Fin or Groundfish.

▪ Lobster is processed by nearly 4-in-10 (39%) processors.

▪ Cod by close to one-third (32%).

37%

32%

23%

20%

20%

18%

10%

10%

10%

1%

Groundfish

Cod

Halibut

Pollock

Hake

Haddock

Redfish

Flatfishes

Greenland turbot

Other Groundfish

Ground Fish

Seafood Activity and Product

34%

22%

15%

9%

6%

6%

5%

3%

2%

2%

Pelagic / Finfish

Herring

Mackerel

Capelin

Tuna

Salmon

Swordfish

Eel

Alewife

Alewife

Pelagic / Finfish

75%

39%

19%

17%

14%

16%

16%

8%

4%

3%

2%

Shellfish

Lobster

Scallop

Crab

Clams/ Quahaug

Oyster

Mussel

Shrimp

Squid

Sea Urchin

Other Shellfish

Shellfish

84%92%

10% 14%

Fish &Seafood

Preparation &Processing

Fish &Seafood

Packaging

Fish &SeafoodCanning

Off-shoreHarvesting

Type of Activity (N=100)


Export Markets

Seafood Processing Industry Profile

Exports are the dominant market for seafood processors.

▪ Overall, 84% of processors export to the US and 68% to other countries, while 73% export to other provinces.

▪ Lobster processors are most dependent on international markets.

73%

83%

84%

68%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Home Province

Other Provinces

United States

Other Countries

Share (%) of Processors that Export, by Destination

71%

82%

86%

69%

74%

85%

83%

68%

70%

90%

100%

90%

Home Province

Other Provinces

United States

Other Countries

Share (%) of Processors that Export, by Activity

Canning Packaging Preparation & Processing

82%

92%

92%

66%

71%

85%

79%

88%

76%

84%

89%

69%

Home Province

Other Provinces

United States

Other Countries

Share (%) of Processors that Export, by Product Type

Shellfish Pelagic / Finfish Groundfish


Workforce –

Employment Size


▪ The “average” Seafood processor in Atlantic Canada employs 108 workers.

▪ One-quarter (24%) employ less than 10, while 14% employ 200+.

▪ The majority (32%) employ between 11 and 60 workers.

▪ Canning facilities, though small in number, employ an average of 340.

▪ Lobster processors employ 130 workers on average; other seafood processors employ 90.

10 or less24%

11 to 6032%

61 to 12019%

121 to 20011%

201 or more14%

Size of Seafood Processing Facilities, Share (%) of Total

108

115

103

342

249

0 100 200 300 400

Overall

Preparation & Processing

Packaging

Canning

Off-shore Harvesting

Average Seafood Processor Employment Size (mean number of employees) by Activity


Workforce – Employment Size


65% of Seafood processing workforce works part-time or seasonally.

▪ Fish and seafood canning processors have the highest share of permanent full-time workers.

▪ Labour Force Survey data illustrates the fluctuation in employment demands for plant works over the year. Sustaining the workforce force during off-season is a key challenge for processors.

0

1

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7

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9

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-09

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r-09

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Oct-

09

Jan

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r-11

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-12

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-13

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r-13

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-14

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-15

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-16

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-17

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

nu

mb

er

of in

div

idu

als

(th

ou

se

an

ds)

Employment and Labour force, Fish and seafood plant workers, Monthly, 2009 to 2017

Labour force

Employment

Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS), Statistics Canada

35%

31%

28%

42%

37%

0% 20% 40% 60%

Overall

Preparation & Processing

Packaging

Canning


Permanent Full-time Employment Share(%)

Question: Over the past year, on average, what proportion of paid positions were permanent full-time?


Workforce – Key Occupation


▪ Management, shellfish plant workers and supervisors are the top key occupations for seafood processors.

Question: What are the top key occupations, or specific job titles for workers, at your plant?

By key occupations we mean either occupations employed in the largest numbers, those

with the most specialized skills or those generally most critical to production..

51%

44% 43%39% 37%

33% 33%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Management Supervisors Shellfish PlantWorkerprocessing

Fish Plant Worker Maintenance (includedJanitors, SanitationWorkers, Cleaners)

Shellfish ProcessingLabourer

Fish ProcessingLabourer

Top key occupations cited by employers


On average Seafood processors reported:

▪ 43% of positions filled by women.

▪ 37% filled by workers aged 55+.

▪ 7% of positions filled by new temporary foreign workers.

▪ 14% among lobster processors.

▪ 1.7% of positions filled by new immigrants.

▪ 45% of seafood processors reported vacant positions over the past year.

▪ 11.5% of paid positions were vacant over the year – or an average of 1,800 unfilled positions.

▪ 16% of paid positions were vacant among lobster processors.

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Seafood Processing Workforce Profile

Workforce ProfileThe industry is highly dependent on women and older workers, but hundreds of positions go unfilled.

0.9%

1.3%

1.5%

1.7%

7.0%

11%

36%

37%

43%

Workers with disabilities (physical ormental)

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

First Nations or Indigenous

New immigrants or refugees

Temporary Foreign Workers Program(TFWP)

Vacant positions

Permanent full-time

Workers over the age of 55 (or eligibleto retire within the next 5 years)

Women

Workforce profile as a share of average paid positions


83% of seafood processors report some form of recruitment challenges:

▪ One-in-five seafood processors report not being able to fill positions.

▪ A further 24% experience chronic recruitment challenges.

▪ An additional 38% experience seasonal challenges recruiting or retaining qualified workers

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Workforce availability and Recruitment

Question: How would you describe the general availability of workers

you need? Would you say that you are...?

21%

24%

38%

17%

Experiencing immediate and persistentchallenges recruiting and retaining qualified

workers, vacant positions go unfilled

Experiencing ongoing challenges recruiting orretaining qualified workers

Experiencing occasional or seasonalchallenges recruiting or retaining qualified

workers

Experiencing no significant challenges inrecruiting or retaining qualified workers from

the local workforce

Share of Employer (%)


Recruitment challenges most significant for large seafood canning facilities:

▪ Seafood canning facilities are most likely to not fill positions due to recruitment challenge.

▪ Processors involved in packaging are most likely to experience seasonal recruitment challenges.

13

Workforce availability and RecruitmentQuestion: How would you describe the general availability of workers you

need? Would you say that you are...?

24%

21%

40%

14%

27%

23%

40%

43%

36%

39%

10%

36%

13%

17%

10%

7%

Fish & Seafood Preparation &Processing

Fish & Seafood Packaging

Fish & Seafood Canning


Share of processors (%)

Worker availability, by type of facility

Experiencing immediate and persistent challenges recruiting and retaining qualified workers,vacant positions go unfilled

Experiencing ongoing challenges recruiting or retaining qualified workers

Experiencing occasional or seasonal challenges recruiting or retaining qualified workers

Experiencing no significant challenges in recruiting or retaining qualified workers from thelocal workforce


Recruitment challenges most significant for processors in New Brunswick and PEI:

▪ Over half (54%) of seafood processors in Nova Scotia report seasonal recruitment challenges.

▪ 39% of New Brunswick and 30% of PEI processors report inability to fill vacant positions.

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39%

15%

30%

9%

50%

23%

20%

39%

28%

54%

15%

13%

22%

8%

35%

New Brunswick

Newfoundland and Labrador

Nova Scotia

Prince Edward Island


Worker availability, by Province




Experiencing no significant challenges in recruiting or retaining qualified workers from the localworkforce


Recruitment challenges most significant for lobster processors, especially those outside Nova Scotia:

▪ 26% of lobster processors report not being able to fill positions and a further 26% experience chronic recruitment challenges.

▪ These figures are 18% and 23% respectively among other seafood processors.

▪ 15% of Nova Scotia lobster processors and 39% of other Atlantic lobster processors report inability to fill vacant positions.

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26%

18%

14%

39%

26%

23%

24%

28%

38%

38%

57%

17%

10%

21%

5%

17%

Lobster

Other seafood

Lobster (Nova Scotia)

Lobster (Other Atlantic)


Worker availability, by type of processing




Experiencing no significant challenges in recruiting or retaining qualified workers from the localworkforce


4-in-10 (42%) processors cited Production workers and general labourers as the most difficult to recruit

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42%

32%

8%

7%

5%

4%

4%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%

Production workers/ general labourers

Other

Skilled workers(incl.drivers)

Fish plant workers

Management/ supervisors

Sanitation/ cleaners

Machine operators

What are the top three positions that are most difficult to recruit?


Lobster processors reported greater recruitment challenges for most core processing occupations

17


44%

31%

8%

15%

3%

8%

8%

33%

51%

5%

2%

5%

2%

2%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Production workers/ general labourers

Other

Skilled workers(incl.drivers)

Fish plant workers

Management/ supervisors

Sanitation/ cleaners

Machine operators

What are the top three positions that are most difficult to recruit?

Lobster

Other seafood


Evidence of significant recruitment challenges supported by high turnover.

▪ Atlantic seafood processors hired an estimated 6,300 workers over the past year. This represents a 40% turnover rate in the industry.

▪ Shellfish plant operators, maintenance and sanitation workers have among the highest turnover rates in the industry.

▪ Small employers with less than 10 employees report turnover rates of 60%, while large employers with 200+ workers reported turnover rates of 28%.

Workforce Availability and Recruitment

Question: Excluding seasonal re-hire, how many workers were hired for this position over the last year?

Note: Turnover rate = (total number of people hired in an occupation)/(average number of people employed in an occupation)

11%

12%

13%

21%

31%

32%

37%

45%

58%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

Skilled Trades

Management

Supervisors

Office Staff

Fish Processing Labourer

Fish Plant Worker

Shellfish Processing Labourer

Maintenance (included Janitors,…

Shellfish Plant Worker

Imputed Turnover Rate (%), by Occupation

60%

37%

49%

43%

28%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

10 or less

11 to 60

61 to 120

121 to 200

201 or more

Em

plo

ym

ent S

ize

Imputed Turnover Rate (%), by Employer Size


Survey highlights:

▪ 22% of processors employed workers through the TFWP over the past year.

▪ On average employing 7.5TFWs per plant.

19

Utilization of programs :


22%

13%

9%

14%

Temporary Foreign WorkerProgram (TFWP)

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Career Focus Wage SubsidyProgram

Other


International recruitment:

▪ Plants with 200 or more workers employ, on average, 41 temporary foreign workers, or 8.6% of total plant employment.

▪ Plants between 120 and 200 report the largest utilization of provincial nominees ( 1 out of 20 workers).

20


1.6, 5.3%

1.8, 2.1%

12, 8.1% 41, 8.6%

0.1, 0.4% 0.5, 0.5%

7.3, 4.9%

3.4, 0.8%

0.0%

1.0%

2.0%

3.0%

4.0%

5.0%

6.0%

7.0%

8.0%

9.0%

11 to 60 61 to 120 121 to 200 201 or more

Average number and share of TFW and PNP workers

Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)


Survey highlights:

▪ 41% of lobster processors employed workers through the TFWP over the past year.

▪ 10% of other seafood processors employed workers through the TFWP over the past year.

21

Utilization of programs :


41%

21%

8%

13%

10%

8%

8%

16%

Temporary Foreign WorkerProgram (TFWP)

Provincial Nominee Program(PNP)

Career Focus Wage SubsidyProgram

Other

Lobster

Other seafood


International recruitment:

▪ Lobster processors employ, on average, 18 temporary foreign workers (TFWs), or 13.6% of total employment. Other seafood processors employ 1 TFW on average, or 0.9% of total employment.

▪ Lobster processors also report greater utilization of provincial nominees.

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18.01, 13.6%

0.84, 0.9%

4.76, 6.7%

33.46, 16.4%

3.15, 2.4%

0.28, 0.3%

2.19, 3.1%4.28, 2.1%

0.0%

2.0%

4.0%

6.0%

8.0%

10.0%

12.0%

14.0%

16.0%

18.0%

Lobster Other seafood Lobster (Nova Scotia) Lobster (Other Atlantic)

Average number and share of TFW and PNP workers

Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)


Workforce Wages and Benefits

$32.43

$21.47

$19.17

$18.93

$14.97

$14.48

$13.82

$13.69

$38.66

$27.44

$24.08

$24.08

$19.31

$17.97

$16.78

$18.95

Other Front Office staff

Skilled Trades (including Millwright, IndustrialElectrician, Truck Driver)

Supervisors

Maintenance (included Janitors, SanitationWorkers, Cleaners)

Shellfish Plant Worker

Fish Processing Labourer

Shellfish Processing Labourer

Fish Plant Worker

Average Hourly wage ranges ($), by Occupation

Starting Hourly Wage ($) Top Hourly Wage($)

Average starting hourly wages start from $13.69 from fish plant workers to $21.47 for skilled trades


Survey highlights: Half the seafood plants surveyed provide extended health or drug

care plans, while one-third offer no benefits.


50%

13%

29%

7%

15% 16%

34%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%Incidents (%) of Benefits offered by Employers, by Benefit Type

Extended health ( Drug, dental, vision etc. ) Pension planPaid days or leaves, i.e. sick, family Tuition ReimbursementRRSP Matching OtherNo employment benefits offered


Looking at benefits by the type of plant, larger processors involved in off-shore harvesting or canning,

are more likely to offer benefits in comparison to other types of facilities.


47%

12%

25%

7%

12%

18%

36%

49%

11%

30%

5%

14%16%

34%

70%

30% 30% 30%

20%

30%

20%

86%

21%

43%

21%

29% 29%

7%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Extended health ( Drug,dental, vision etc. )

Pension plan Paid days or leaves, i.e.sick, family

Tuition Reimbursement RRSP Matching Other No employment benefitsoffered

Incidents (%) of Benefits offered by Employers, by Benefit Type andby Seafood Processing Activity

Fish & Seafood Preparation & Processing Fish & Seafood Packaging Fish & Seafood Canning Off-shore Harvesting


Seafood Processors SurveyMethodology

▪ In total, n=100 Seafood processing employers participated in the survey administered by Ipsos.

▪ Data collection was conducted via a telephone (n=64) and online (n=36) surveys.

▪ The survey was fielded between December 30th, 2017 and April 23rd, 2018.

▪ The margin of error for a sample of n=100 is +/- 4.7%, nineteen times out of twenty. The margin of error will be greater for sub-groups depending on sample sizes.

▪ The average length of the survey was 21 minutes via telephone and 33 minutes via online.

▪ Respondents were screened to ensure that only those individuals who had detailed information about the people employed within the organization and the types of skills and qualifications required by the organization participated in the survey.

▪ The survey was conducted in both English and French, depending upon the preference of the respondent.

▪ Respondent contact information for the survey was provided by FPSC.

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