SRDC NEWS
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Mike Thususka, economic development director, said that�s why the city recently posted and e-mailed blind job ads for software developers. Thususka said they collected resumes for three companies: a local firm needing workers and two considering setting up shop.
�They�re very interested in investing in Summerside, but one of their questions to us was prove that you have a labour force.� The city gathers resumes as part of efforts to attract firms.
�I�m a salesman,� Thususka explained. �I sell community.� Thususka said he stresses the Summerside area offers a stable, skilled workforce. The resumes provide a more specific snapshot of who�s available. And it�s not just people here.
�We punch above our weight in terms of labour force draw because there are obviously Islanders who have gone off-Island and are working somewhere else, and should you present them with a quality opportunity they�d like to move back to P.E.I.�
For example, their recent collection brought in 58 resumes at the time of interview this week. He estimated more than half came from off-Island. Thususka added labour force is just part of a firm�s analysis, which typically includes location, business costs and other factors. The off-Island companies involved in this collection include one from Canada and one from the U.S. One has expressed specific interest in the Holman Building, which has been redeveloped to create an IT centre. Thususka said the city stresses the success of existing companies like aerospace firms in Slemon Park and Carestream Health in recruitment efforts.
He added they keep clients and resumes confidential, simply collecting them and forwarding them along.