by Heidi Riley
This year, the PEI Home Show was virtual. Hosted by radio station HOT 105.5, many of PEI’s home renovation, home décor, and home construction providers were featured. This is a great way to learn more about PEI companies and about their hiring needs.
Callbeck’s Home Hardware Building Centre and Callbeck’s Home Furniture and Appliances hiring needs
“The two stores in Summerside have close to 80 employees, there are 60 to 70 in Charlottetown- Kinlock, and about 15 to 18 in New Brunswick,” says Duane MacDonald, Co-Owner.
“Metro Home Building Centre is our partner in Charlottetown Home Hardware and Kinlock Home Hardware in Stratford.”
Summer hiring
Duane says they are fortunate to have a lot of long-term staff, and they do not have a high turnover rate, so they do not need to do much hiring as the spring season ramps up. “Students who work part time with us during the year work full-time in the summers.
“In March, we hired Cashiers and Department Associates. In Summerside, we are looking for full-time Delivery Drivers and Estimators for the lumber side of the business. Truck Drivers need certain licenses to operate the equipment, and Estimators need some building experience and skills.
“The qualifications we look for depend on the position. Previous experience is good, but the main thing we look for is the right personality and attitude, a willingness to work, and ability to fit in with the group. We can teach them any other skills they need.”
Duane says Home Hardware offers a lot of opportunities for growth and advancement. “A lot of our people move to different positions with us over the years and learn something different.”
Many ways to apply
- stop by a store and ask for an application
- email the store with your resumé
- ask a current employee to refer you
“We also post our jobs on our road signs,” says Duane. “It is amazing how many people we attract that way. They stop in, have a conversation, drop off the resumé, and we go from there.”
Open positions are posted on Facebook. Search for individual Home Hardware locations. Jobs are also listed on Work PEI.
Green Diamond Equipment & Green Diamond Powersports hiring needs
Green Diamond has 15 locations employing over 300 people across the Maritimes. The three locations on PEI in Stratford, Summerside, and Bloomfield have a total of 85 employees.
Job titles with the company
Agriculture Technicians work on the larger agricultural tractors and implements.
Turf Technicians work on smaller John Deere equipment such as lawn tractors and on Stihl and other small engine equipment. For this position, they look for people with a Small Engine Mechanics course.
BRP Technicians work on Bombardier products such as Ski-Doo® Snowmobiles, Sea-Doo® Watercraft, and Can-Am® Off-Road Vehicles as well as Can-Am® On-Road Vehicles in Stratford.
Ag Sales Representatives could have a background in sales or farm equipment and would be trained in the skills and knowledge needed.
Other positions include Branch Managers, Parts Managers, Service Managers, Parts Counter Clerks, Yard/Detailers, and Administrative staff. Previous related experience is an asset.
Most employees work full-time permanent, except for seasonal positions, which are full-time for the summer with the potential to work until October.
Current hiring needs
In April, there were six openings. “In Bloomfield, we are looking for a Turf Tech,” says Jim Pineau, Manager, Human Resources. “In Stratford, we are looking for an Ag Tech, a Turf Tech, a Parts Counter person, and a Yard/Detailer person. In Summerside, we are looking for an Ag Tech.”
Qualifications needed
“We would like to hire Ag Techs with their Red Seal in Agricultural Equipment Repair,” says Jim. “These people are hard to find. We normally hire graduates from that program or a heavy equipment repair program and employ them as they work towards their Red Seal.”
The one-year Agricultural Equipment Repair program is offered at New Brunswick Community College in Moncton. “Graduates of the program have earned their Block 1. Then they complete their six to eight-week block release training at the school to earn their Block 2, 3, and 4 to earn their Red Seal.”
Best way to apply
For a list of open positions, visit www.green-diamond.ca and click About Us and then click Careers.
Jobs are also posted on the PEI Agriculture Sector Council website, Career Beacon, and other job boards.
For more information, email careers@green-diamond.ca or visit www.green-diamond.ca or www.greendiamondpowersports.ca
For more information about the Agricultural Equipment Repair program at New Brunswick Community College, visit www.nbcc.ca