Canadian Auto Dealers Seek Moroccan Workers Amid Labor Shortage

Facing a labor shortage, the automotive dealerships in the region need mechanics, salespeople, parts experts and cleaning technicians. "We are looking for at least twenty people," says Olivier Blouin in an interview with C’est jamais pareil reported by Radio Canada.

Arrived in Morocco to recruit workers, the president of the Saguenay-Lac Saint-Jean Dealers Association met with about sixty candidates who underwent interviews led by an advisor from the Corporation of Quebec Automobile Dealers, in charge of the mission. "She asked them about twenty open-ended questions. We had the opportunity, between the interviews, to meet them and chat with them," he explains.

And to add: "The discussions turned out to be pleasant. These are people who really fit the spirit of Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean. They are incredibly welcoming people. Incredibly polite! It’s really nice to talk to them." For the most part young fathers, these candidates want to settle in Canada. A program is in place to help them integrate into Canadian society and work.

According to the program, they will leave alone for six months and then be able to bring their families, explains Olivier Blouin, stressing that the biggest challenge remains to convince Moroccan mechanics to settle in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, most of them dreaming of settling in Quebec due to the French language. The manager hopes to sign employment contracts with some candidates. The procedure could take up to a year.