Nova ScotiaNova Scotia Public Works is holding job fairs around the province this fall to recruit snow removal operators, as the department faces an aging workforce and growing demand for skilled workers ahead of winter.With an aging workforce in Nova Scotia, there’s a need for new recruitsNova Scotia Public Works is holding job fairs around the province to recruit more snow plow operators. (Eric Wiseman/CBC)With the snow not that far away, Nova Scotia Public Works is making a push to find more snowplow operators.Job fairs are being held around the province this fall as the department faces an aging workforce and growing demand for skilled workers ahead of winter.Craig DeWolfe, operations supervisor for Bedford, says his team is stepping up recruitment because of a shortage of qualified operators. He said it’s a struggle to make a schedule when there is a shortage of operators, particularly after big storms.”When they get stretched to the limit, it does become a safety issue,” said DeWolfe.”So, being able to give the guys a break would be a major help to be able to keep our roads safe as well as our own employees rested and ready to go.”Lyle Manuel, a 31-year-old Halifax personal trainer, attended Saturday’s job fair in Burnside. He said he attended to learn more about the work.He discovered he isn’t eligible because he doesn’t have a Class 3 licence. But he said he will pursue the licence and apply later. “Halifax has been nothing but kind to me,” he said. “So. I think … my way of repaying the community is just to plow some snow.” Lyle Manuel says he is interested in plowing snow because he wants to give back to the community. (Eric Wiseman/CBC)DeWolfe said he was pleased with the turnout on Saturday. He hopes he can have a full team for this winter. “We’re probably looking into 25 to 26 drivers to make sure we have all of our trucks and seats filled,” he said, specifically referring to the area he supervises.Craig DeWolfe says the average age of his crew is over 55. (Eric Wiseman/CBC)Dominic Hudlin, area manager for Nova Scotia Public Works in Halifax County, said licensing and training requirements can sometimes be a necessary barrier for applicants.But Hudlin said Public Works provides information to help applicants meet the requirements. Once hired, employees have further opportunities for training. Dominic Hudlin says Public Works offers learning opportunities for people to learn about snow plowing. (Eric Wiseman/CBC)The province is currently recruiting seasonal spare operators who will take part in a two-week paid program to learn how to safely operate snow-clearing machinery. That will be followed by 45 hours of mentored plowing experience.According to the job posting, the starting wage is $28.55 an hour, increasing to $29.12 as of Nov. 1.ABOUT THE AUTHORGiuliana is a journalist originally from Lima, Peru. She is interested in stories about rural Nova Scotia, science, the environment and more. If you have any story tips, you can reach her at giuliana.grillo.de.lambarri@cbc.ca.
With winter not far off, the province is making a push for more snowplow operators
