The Forest Products Association of Canada and the federal government announced this week the launch of a new, first-of-its-kind online tool to help match job openings at Canadian forest products companies with job seekers, and provide detailed labor market information about the sector.

The new tool, called The Greenest Workforce Job Match Tool, will provide those looking for work with one-stop access to job openings in Canada’s forest products sector and allow them to post resumes and search for jobs across the country.

For employers, the Job Match Tool will mean quick, efficient, access to a national talent pool. All employers in the Canadian forest products sector can post jobs, use the tool to identify candidates, and access trends and other data to help guide company HR strategies.

The new tool is also expected to boost employment by bringing employers and job seekers together more quickly, thereby reducing the lag between an employer’s decision to hire and the time that the post is actually filled.

The online labor market information (LMI) is searchable at the national, provincial, and regional levels, as well as by occupation. This LMI aims to help employers make sound business and human resources decisions, assist industry associations, and post-secondary institutions to address skills issues and reduce the likelihood of new skills shortages in the industry.

The new service, supported by a $1.1-million contribution from the federal government, is free for both employers and job seekers.

"Forest products companies are going to be hiring thousands of new recruits in the coming years and this tool will really help to fast-track those matches," said Derek Nighbor, CEO of the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC). "When you consider the wide range of skills we’re going to need and the opportunities that the growing forest products sector presents, I expect this tool will be very popular with job seekers and companies alike."

The forest products sector is in need of a variety of skills and experience, including forestry, engineering, environmental science, human resources, administration, skilled trades, and mill operations.

"I am very excited about this new job-matching tool and what it will mean for both our forest products companies and Canadians who are looking for good jobs," said Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labor MaryAnn Mihychuk. "I look forward to working with FPAC and the forest products sector to get the most out of this important tool in the months and years ahead."

Senior executives from Canada’s leading forest products companies said the Job Match Tool will be a win for both employers and prospective employees.

"This is really going to help us find the right people with the right skills to help us continue to innovate and succeed in the coming years," said Fred Dzida, president of Weyerhaeuser Co.

Brad Thorlakson, CEO of Tolko Industries Ltd., said the new tool will help support the company’s recruitment efforts. "This is simply a great opportunity for the entire sector and for those Canadians looking for work.