(AlbertaIndex, May 5, Monday) --- Non-profit organizations have launched a joint initiative to tackle labour challenges they face in Alberta.

    “A Workforce Strategy for Alberta’s Non-profit and Voluntary Sector”, developed with the support of the provincial government, seeks to identify ways to address staff recruitment and retention in the sector.

The strategy includes the following actions:

• Educate the public about the importance of work in the sector;

• Provide employers with good management practice tools;

• Promote the sector as an employer of choice;

• Develop strategies for sharing resources; and

• Explore opportunities for career mobility across organizations within the sector.

More than 60 non-profit organizations participated in the development of the strategy.  Their collaboration resulted in 28 actions to ensure the sector, which is a significant employer and important part of the economy, continues to thrive to the benefit of Albertans.  The process was led by the Calgary and Edmonton chambers of voluntary organizations.

Difficulties that are being faced by the sector include stressful working conditions, low job security and high turnover in entry-level positions, lack of staff training opportunities, and an aging workforce at the senior and middle management levels.

“Alberta’s non-profit and voluntary sector is facing a number of significant challenges as the demand for services grows and competition for workers in the province increases,” said Employment and Immigration Minister Hector Goudreau.  “If these challenges are not properly addressed, they have the potential to limit the sector’s growth and impact its ability to deliver the programs and services Albertans rely on.”

“This strategy acts on the immediate workforce needs of the non-profit and voluntary sector, but also establishes a framework that will help organizations prepare for the future,” said Katherine van Kooy, president and CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations.  “By working together, non-profit groups across the province will be ready to respond to the realities of a tight labour market.”

“This is the start of a journey and I’m confident that we’re headed in the right direction,” said Russ Dahms, executive director of the Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations.  “We now have a course of action to begin addressing workforce challenges in the non-profit and voluntary sector.”

More than 20 organizations will be responsible for implementing these actions.  They include the Alberta Council of Disability Services, Alberta College of Social Workers, Alberta Museums Association Boys and Girls Clubs of Alberta, Family Services of Central Alberta, Kids Help Phone, United Way of Calgary and Area, Vocational & Rehabilitation Research Institute and Volunteer Alberta.

The Alberta government has also worked with industry associations and labour groups on the release of strategies for the retail, tourism and hospitality, energy, manufacturing and construction industries. Upcoming workforce strategies include those for the forest, logistics and health sectors.

These strategies complement the government’s 10-year labour force strategy, Building and Educating Tomorrow’s Workforce.  It focuses on more workers, better trained and educated people, and innovative workplaces.

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