Toronto, Ontario — June 26, 2019 – Dealerships in Quebec are in dire need for auto body workers. So much so that their search has expanded across seas.
According to an internal survey conducted by Corporation of Quebec Car Dealerships (CCAQ), 89 percent of dealerships struggle to recruit autobody repairers, 82 percent struggle to hire painters and 62 percent struggle to find mechanics.
Nancy Fortin, the human resources director at Groupe Paquet (a group of several Nissan dealerships), stated that she’s been struggling for nearly five years.
“I rarely receive CV’s and I am in permanent posting”, Fortin told CBC’s Radio-Canada.
“There are dealers who offer four days a week, and even with that, we do not have more resumes.”
Quebec’s solution? Recruiting French-speaking workers from North Africa.
Teams from CCAQ set off to Tunisina earlier this year to recruit automotive workers, and in return, they have promised full time work and housing support. Nearly 120 workers are currently enrolled to work in Quebec’s auto industry in the near-time future.
“We’ll get them [from the airport]. We find them a home. We will do the first grocery store. They just have their luggage, they have little money and no credit card,” Fortin explained.
So far, the search has been successful, currently 15 workers are employed full-time in Quebec, and dealerships expect to see more employees by the end of the summer.
“We are waiting for them and we can not wait,” Gilles Poirer, Hyundai dealer told CBC. “They did the interviews via Skype. We will find them sponsors to integrate them more easily.”
In addition to North Africa, CCAQ is continuing to recruit from other French-speaking countries.
For more information on CCAQ’s search, or for employment opportunities visit public.ccaq.com
