Manitoba releases Economic Growth Action Plan

The government of Manitoba has released its Economic Growth Action Plan, a comprehensive set of 50 strategic actions that the government will advance to build a more resilient workforce and stimulate business opportunities.

RCC was part of the development of this strategy and is pleased that the government recognized the importance of the retail sector when developing its recommendations, and planning its priorities. 

Among the insights within the report are projections on the workforce shortfall the Manitoba retail sector will experience between 2023 and 2026 as a result of sector growth and those leaving the sector.

In fact, Manitoba’s retail sector is reported to be the top private-sector occupational group expected to face workforce shortages, with 25,100 projected additional job openings over the next four years. While immigrants and under-utilized worker groups were identified as playing an important part in addressing this gap, the report suggests that retailers in the province will have to manage a chronic shortage of 1,475 retail managers over the next three years.  RCC has produces a similar study of the retail workforce in Alberta with the Alberta Retail Sector Labour Market Study, which is free to access.