While the majority of Canadian companies expect challenges when it comes to hiring staff this year, the folks at Carmel Cannabis are on a bit of a high when it comes to recruiting.
At a recent job fair at the Oro Station Community Hall, about 300 metres north of the company’s headquarters on Line 7 South, upward of a dozen people waited in the rain in the parking lot for 30 minutes before the job fair began.
When the doors opened, they registered and waited quietly in lines — one for growing, one for trimming.
In some cases, they waited in line for more than an hour to talk with a company representative about what life at Carmel would be like for successful applicants.
In turn, the applicants would share their particular skill set and how it would benefit Carmel.
More than a few readily admitted to having experience cultivating and sampling cannabis — a skill set that may or may not be beneficial, according to an unnamed Carmel employee.
“In our experience it is not required to use cannabis to succeed here,” said the Carmel spokesperson. “While our team is extremely passionate about the product and cannabis culture, many positions across our company benefit from outside perspective from other industries.”
That sits well with Colin Hill, a Victoria Harbour resident who made the 30-minute trip to Oro Station.
Hill has retail experience, but is interested in pursuing the growing and packaging opportunities Carmel may have.
“The product is very good and they have a great reputation,” he said after handing in his resume and talking with Carmel managers. “I’d love to work here and learn how they do it.”
Hill is not alone in his quest for horticultural know-how.
Local resident Peter Rovazzi was the first job-seeker in the parking lot. He’s semi-retired and has been a recreational cannabis grower for the past two decades.
“Carmel is one of the premier growers in the business and I’m absolutely interested in learning more and working with them,” Rovazzi said. “It’s not often that you get a chance to work for a global leader in any business, so this is a great opportunity.”
While Carmel Cannabis is still a relative newcomer to the game, it’s well on its way to becoming an industry heavyweight.
In 2022, the company had a breakout year, winning four major awards from Kind magazine, Canada’s largest cannabis publication.
Carmel won Brand of the Year, Craft Brand of the Year, Best Indica Flower and Best Sativa Pre-roll.
Rovazzi said he was impressed with the company’s business success. He said Carmel is nothing like the “hippie farmers” he knew many years ago.
“This is science,” he said. “This company is growing and selling the best product in its category.
“It’s local, just down the road from where I live, and it’s the best. That’s something,” Rovazzi added.
According to a recent survey from The Harris Poll, commissioned by Express Employment Professionals, the biggest challenge for more than 80 per cent of Canadian companies will be finding qualified employees, followed by increased market competition and competitive pay.
As a manufacturer located in a rural setting with no public transit within kilometres of the location, Carmel faces an additional challenge that is rarely in play in the urban market.
“While it can be challenging to grow a team in a rural setting, we have been fortunate to have such great support in Oro-Medonte,” said Carmel’s spokesperson. “It is always humbling to see the response we get for new available positions.”
Carmel Cannabis currently employs about 80 people at its facility in Oro-Medonte.
