Feature -- by Mark Sproxton

Jobs in Calgary's warehouse industry are everywhere. A story from a local warehouse paints a clear picture of the urgent need for workers. After receiving an application from a young adult with a high school diploma and little work experience, the employer called that same day and arranged for an interview the next afternoon, which was Tuesday.

Tuesday morning the employer received a call from the applicant who asked several questions about the job. It turns out, after the two spoke Monday afternoon, the applicant had received three other job offers.

"Speaking to colleagues, industry contacts and looking at the number of help wanted billboards in our city's industrial areas, (this) is a huge indicator that we are not alone in trying to attract and retain a competent workforce," explained Lea Price, human resources director with Serca Foodservice Inc. Serca has over 230,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space that operates 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week. In Calgary, 193 of 280 Serca employees work in the warehouse.

"In Calgary's current labour market, it is difficult to attract night shift warehouse employees because of the number of vacant day positions. Warehouses are competing for the same type of employee and less and less people are interested in working labour-type positions."

Mike Battista, human resources co-ordinator with Supply Chain Management (SCM) Calgary, agrees it's an industry-wide concern. "The economy plays a large factor," he said. "With the amount of jobs currently available on the market, workers have more availability of choice." SCM operates a one million sq. ft. warehouse, which houses a conveyor system approximately 11 kilometres in length processing freight 16 hours a days, six days a week.

Fred Robinson, president of Transportation Logistics & Consulting, said job opportunities are available at all levels in warehouses and logistics. Warehousing is but one part of the overall logistics industry, which also includes transportation and distribution. While more job openings are at the entry-level, he said people who do a bit of career planning can move up the ladder and receive the accompanying pay increases.

He believes the logistics program being initiated in some local high schools will help address the need for workers as it will allow students to gain some experience and exposure to the industry. "Doing tours while in school and (providing) opportunities to work in the summer, that gives experience," he said. "You know what you are going to be faced with. Here are your opportunities for advancement." (Watch for a future issue of nextSteps covering other opportunities available in the logistics industry.)

Advancement possible

Even now those entry-level labour positions can lead to many other opportunities. Price said it is not unheard of for people to begin as an order picker, move to become a forklift operator, a lead hand, supervisor or even move into areas such as inventory, sales or organizing the trucks coming into and leaving the warehouse.

The same holds true at SCM, Battista said. "We fully support, encourage and seek out advancement from within, whenever possible." People can start in a base position and move to a manager-in-training program then move to become a team leader and possibly a manager.

Both human resources professionals say bonuses based on productivity, regular yearly increases, and at Serca, additional pay for night shifts and freezer work, are factored in as incentives for employees. In unionized warehouses, which is common in Calgary, sometimes years of service will determine who can advance to the top positions in a warehouse. On-the job training happens at most every warehouse, allowing people to move up the ladder from within. (Robinson said it's not uncommon to hear of people hired directly out of university programs and into management positions to help fill some of the holes.)

Filling the void

While many local warehouses have significant employment opportunities, some employers are trying a few different avenues to ensure their warehousing commitments are being met. A quick scan through the classified help wanted sections of local newspapers shows several temp agencies are being contracted to recruit warehouse workers. Other companies turn to a company like Brahma Lumper Services which provides staff, called lumpers, to load and/or unload trailers. Obviously, for those who are reliable, not scared of physical work, and who are willing to learn, many opportunities await.

Industry growing

Wondering about the size of Calgary's warehousing industry? A survey conducted three years ago for a local warehouse focus group showed that of the 157 companies responding -- 255 were contacted -- 37 per cent had warehouses over 50,000 sq. ft., while another 29 per cent had warehouse facilities between 20,000 and 50,000 sq. ft. At least 5,100 people were employed in these various warehouses at the time of the survey.

Since the survey, numerous warehouses -- including SCM's and Canadian Tire's 600,000 sq. ft. building -- hundreds of square feet in size have been built as Calgary increases it prominence as a transportation hub for Western Canada. The highway network connecting Calgary in all directions, its airport, railway connections and overall economic strength are part of the reason for the recent growth in this industry. The group that commissioned the survey is an association that includes logistics companies, educators and educational institutions, and industry consultants.