Using the labour market information system: an employer's perspective

Anthony Smith -- the manager in charge of staffing at Efficient Information Services (EIS), located in Paradise, Canada -- wants to advertise a vacancy for a computer network specialist. On his computer, he dials the number of his local employment opportunities database and enters the relevant job information on the template that appears on the computer screen. Online assistance is provided; in particular, the list of occupations in the National Occupational Classification is readily available, with brief descriptions of the occupations. As soon as Mr. Smith completes the document, the information is available throughout the system and accessible to job seekers and counsellors, locally and nationally.

Mr. Smith can wait until he receives candidates' applications. However, he may take a more active role in searching for the appropriate candidate because he has access to the job seekers database. He may identify potential candidates by browsing through the database using filters for occupation, place of residence, education, etc. Information on how to get in touch with an identified candidate is provided on the template.

As soon as Mr. Smith has hired the new employee, Sally Martin, he deletes the vacant position description from the employment opportunities database, and Ms Martin deletes her entry in the job seekers database. At the end of the month, when he submits his monthly tax remittance form to Revenue Canada, Mr. Smith declares that he has hired a new employee and specifies her occupation according to the National Occupation Classification. The industry code for his company is already known by Revenue Canada.

When, months or years later, Ms Martin leaves her job at EIS -- for whatever reason -- Mr. Smith will issue a record of employment, on which he will state the occupation (according to NOC) of Ms Martin at the time of leaving in addition to information requested for unemployment insurance. A copy of the form is sent to Human Resources Development.

By integrating these steps into his normal method of operating, Smith benefits from the wealth and accuracy of relevant labour market information and contributes to the efficiency of the overall system.