The 2010 Winter Olympics are fast approaching and local employers are invited to an information session run by the federal and provincial governments to learn the steps involved with bringing in temporary foreign workers on Monday (March 16).
The need for foreign workers fluctuates with the economy, and so do the regulations guiding how to acquire them, said Squamish Chamber of Commerce board of director Denise Jimmo.
"It changes all the time so the process changes depending on what's happening in the labour market and the corridor is kind of unique because we have 2010 coming regardless of the current economic downturn," she said.
"Employers are still worried about that time frame and what's going to happen. So the purpose of the workshop is really to provide them with the current information on how to and what to do when it comes to foreign workers."
Skills shortages are not going away despite the economic downturn, said Jimmo.
"What happened is the economy will go up and down and we'll ride through this and when we come out the other side the boomers are still retiring and there are still not enough skilled people in the workforce to meet the needs," she said.
The session is being run by representatives from Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Service Canada and the provincial government's Nominee Program.
The 2010 Winter Games window is considered two months prior to, and one month after the event is finished. Employers should be considering their needs around that time and submitting pre-approval applications for seasonal work leading to 2010.
Although tourism and hospitality sectors will likely feel some of the strongest pressures, the presentation is open to all employers and is free of charge.
The presentation runs from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Howe Sound Inn and Brew Pub's Garibaldi Room.
