The Saskatchewan Government is focusing on the hospitality and tourism sector in Saskatchewan and has invested $1 million into Hospitality Saskatchewan to help promote careers in the field. 

The Government states that Saskatchewan’s hospitality sector, like many others across North America, was one of the first and hardest hit by the global pandemic over the last two years, resulting in a labour shortage across the province. 

Dan Grywacheski, the owner of Humboldt’s Tim Hortons, states he’s feeling the pressures of the labour shortage. 

“It’s been a struggle for the past two years. We’ve used all types of platforms, social media, online stuff, local stuff, just trying to recruit. We have used immigration programs also, which have been affected too, so those haven’t been as successful for us either in our hard to fill spots.”

"The hospitality and tourism sector is driven by small and medium-sized businesses that are at the heart of Saskatchewan's economy," Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said. "This $1 million investment, along with other programs like the recently launched Hard-To-Fill Skills Pilot and the Re-Skill Saskatchewan Training Subsidy, will assist in attracting, training and retaining employees needed to accelerate recovery of the hospitality sector." 

The funding is intended to launch an aggressive recruitment strategy from Hospitality Saskatchewan, Belong Saskatchewan. The Sask. Government states the initiative will target the attraction of domestic and international workers and will leverage the Hard-To-Fill Skills Pilot to target those living and working in Canada under restricted or temporary conditions who are eager to achieve permanent residency. 

"This is yet another example of the Saskatchewan government's steadfast commitment to the hospitality and tourism sectors and those that work in it," Hospitality Saskatchewan President and CEO Jim Bence said. "The pandemic hit us first, it hit us the hardest, and now the acute labour crisis is contributing to a slowing of our recovery. This type of support will allow us to showcase the vibrancy of our industry and attract workers from across Canada in an innovative and creative way. There has never been a better time for training, upskilling, and advancement than there is right now in hospitality, and we applaud the Saskatchewan government for their continued support."

Even with Tim Hortons gathering enough staff to reopen night shifts, Grywacheski states there is still a need for workers, and there are plenty of opportunities for job openings at Tim Hortons. There are also many opportunities in other businesses in the hospitality sector. 

“We are open to entry level positions, we are not looking for someone with a bunch of experience. Anyone can walk in here, we will train, we offer flexible scheduling, work around your kids schedules or school schedules. Open door policy, we’re a friendly work environment and it is a fun place to work.”