Country Prime Meats recently added additional processing lines but are struggling to find employees for the expanded section, meaning that for the first time they鈥檙e looking at potentially hiring temporary foreign workers, says Troy Guenther, Director of Human Resources.
鈥淲e just finished this expansion and we鈥檙e poised for [a] 30 per cent over the next year or two. Basically, you know, we鈥檙e having a hard time getting enough local applicants.鈥�
They added one stuffing line and two packaging line with six to eight people per line, he says
鈥淲e鈥檙e in need of about anywhere from probably 15 upwards to possibly 20 more people to make this thing run.鈥�
They鈥檙e looking to fill entry level positions right now but will need to fill others in the future as well, often promoting from within, says Guenther. He adds that there are benefits fully paid by the company after six months.
It鈥檚 the first time ever, they鈥檙e entertaining the idea of temporary foreign workers, says Guenther.
鈥淛ust because we are not getting the local interest.鈥�
He thinks there are a number of reasons for that.
鈥淲e are located at Mile 128 so we鈥檙e quite a way from town, between Williams Lake and 100 Mile; we鈥檙e about halfway,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he younger generations just don鈥檛 have wheels 鈥� A lot of people are like well if I鈥檝e got to spend all that money in gas to get up there then, you know, I鈥檒l just work in town.鈥�
They prefer to hire locally to support the local community, he says. They鈥檙e one of the biggest employers in the area outside of the mills and mines, according to Guenther, who adds they鈥檙e at about 72, which is down a little from before the wildfires.
鈥淲e lost a few people that never came back to the area.鈥�
The new lines are automated and robotic, which makes it easier for employees, says Guenther.
Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett says that she sincerely hopes they hire local.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a great business. It鈥檚 expanded over these years. I鈥檝e watched it grow and grow and they鈥檝e put a lot of investment. They have great product. They鈥檙e worldwide almost. Hopefully, locals will take an advantage of having an opportunity to work here and help support their families and that鈥檚 what we hope for.鈥�
Once the new lines are up and running, Guenther says they鈥檒l likely also need staff to support those lines such as cleaners and administrative staff.
