By Randy Quarin, Co-Founder & Cannabis Recruiter
The cannabis industry is growing by leaps and bounds. As organizations within this new and evolving industry get their companies in order in advance of the October 17th, 2018 legalization date, they are hiring frantically to ensure they will be able to meet demand when cannabis hits the legal market.
Cannabis Companies Have Jobs to Fill
Business Vancouver provides a good overview of what cannabis companies are facing:
“Cannabis companies will need to have secure supply chains to protect the quality and integrity of their products, and retailers will need to meet consumer expectations, including providing a positive, engaging retailing experience and protecting the privacy of their customers, especially online.”
Talent Is Migrating to the Cannabis Industry
Finding the best talent to support these functions has caused cannabis companies to look to other industries for talent. This has resulted in not only the creation of new jobs, it provides candidates with new career paths to consider.
With an industry valued at $23 billion by Deloitte and a sharp growth trajectory, companies in related industries, if not already, can expect to see some of their talent being poached and migrating to the cannabis industry.
Post-Secondary Industries Getting Onboard Too
Even colleges and universities are preparing for the new weed industry. Many have started to offer courses. Durham College currently offers a weekend course called Medical Cannabis Fundamentals for Business Professionals.
“It gives them a background in the cannabis industry,” said Debbie Johnston, dean of the school of continuing education at Durham College in Oshawa to the Toronto Sun.
“We had an unbelievable range of people take the course. Everything from business people, investors, lots of health-care providers, holistic practitioners. We had a pharmacist from the U.S. We got a farmer. We got a chef. Every course has been totally booked. And we anticipate that’s going to continue because there’s a huge interest and there’s lots of job opportunities out there.”
Other similar and more expansive courses are being planned by other schools, as well.
With a new industry to consider, companies need to review and focus on engagement and retention strategies to keep their top talent in house.
Read More About Employment and Recruiting in the Cannabis Industry
Learn more about developments in the cannabis industry by reading these blog posts:
Cannabis Companies Are Hiring at Blazing Speed – Are They Getting It Right?
High Times Ahead – What You Need to Know About Hiring in the Canadian Cannabis Industry
Things to Look for When Hiring for Your Cannabis Business
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