Many temporary positions will now be permanent at BRP. The company recently converted 400 at its Valcourt plant and wants to hire 450 more people for day labourers, forklift drivers and handlers who will now benefit from a group insurance plan, paid vacation and a bonus.
Posted at 12:15 a.m.
In the process, BRP changed its recruitment methods, which normally does business with three agencies. “There was applause in the plant when the news was announced,” says Carl Beauparlant, director of human resources for BRP plant operations. The seniority will begin on April 4. Last year, 187 positions were converted to permanent. »
Like many, BRP cannot ignore the labor shortage and the race to hire in the manufacturing sector. “We have to change the way we hire, if we want to remain an employer of choice, says Carl Beauparlant. We have to be proactive. We are experiencing a shortage, but we have still managed to fill our positions. We are not safe in the region. »
PHOTO PROVIDED BY BRP
Carl Beauparlant, Director of Human Resources for BRP Plant Operations
Already last fall, BRP increased the hourly wage of its day laborers to $20 an hour, changed the evening schedule to four evenings a week, in addition to increasing the evening premium to $2.50 per hour. ‘time. This time, BRP wants to fill its positions by the end of May.
Upstream work
To be able to offer permanent positions, BRP had to work upstream to properly distribute the workforce from January to December. “We managed to stabilize the production schedule, which will allow us to hire year-round,” explains Carl Beauparlant. There are discrepancies in labor requirements for Ski-Doo and Can-am Spyder productions. We reduced them.
“Before starting the hotlines, you need a model,” he says. We did some work with operations. We had to invest. This notably requires a flexible production model. The four- and five-day weeks allow us to adjust. »
Spyder production normally runs from mid-January to the end of May. Then, that of the Ski-Doo, until the end of December. “We have always had fewer employees for the Spyder, specifies Carl Beauparlant. From now on, for example, we will have more employees who work four days a week for the Spyder and five-day employees for the Ski-Doo. »
BRP says it has changed its ways of working and hiring also because of production “which is going very well”. “Decisions have to be made to stabilize the workforce and not burn out the old people who have worked more overtime, notes Carl Beauparlant. Such a way of doing things cannot last. »
The Valcourt plant has approximately 1,100 employees.