The result of our demographic profile
Part of my involvement with our community group involves demographics. We live in an area that has lost much of its population, over the last few decades. Our schools have closed in favour of amalgamation. Our local business count has dropped, now that families are able to drive to a nearby town for essential things. And the job situation has worsened.
We still have jobs, but there is nobody out there to hire. With school numbers down, you can pass through rural areas with no kids, at least not of an age to take on real jobs. Those that have moved on to “higher education” often have a lease to pay, in their new city. Not coming home for the summer, ever again.,
I can’t say that it was any different “back when”; I usually had no problem finding employment, because I could afford to choose based on my own interests. Part of the fortunate class. Locally, the primary industries of fishing and farming have their own sources of employables, but for the tourist trade, it’s not easy to find someone who fits the checklist imposed by the government and the subsidy sources.
In the nearest town, there are at least two dozen jobs that aren’t being filled. Too hard to convince someone to come from elsewhere, pay for a place to stay and a car, etc. in return for a position that pays just over minimums, for a fixed period.
We might have to consider alternate schedules for our two attractions, or rely upon the same volunteers that now “oversee” the sites. A hard call. Do I want to offer my soul to the public?
