Hardworking reputation has helped Sask. residents get hired: chamber CEO

Students at the SIAST Palliser Campus business and industry dinner were advised to remember the heritage of the work of their grandparents.
"The Saskatchewan farm boy or farm girl has made a name for themselves literally around the world," guest speaker Steve McLellan told 400 students, business people and instructors Wednesday at the banquet.
"For the past 75 years employers from across the world have almost automatically hired a Saskatchewan farm boy," said the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce chief executive officer.
"They knew that person would know how to work, be good at a range of activities, most would be honest and trustworthy."
That reputation continues to deliver results in Saskatchewan and elsewhere today.
That image led to the joke: What do you call an Alberta farm boy in Calgary?
Why, boss, of course.
Although most of the students didn't grow up on a farm and farm work is no longer as difficult, "the Saskatchewan work ethic still has credibility and will serve you well if you live by it."
Some people say the work world has changed to one where employees rule.
"The employee will tell the owner when they'll work how they'll do that work, how long they are at work today," said McLellan.
"(While that's true for some jobs), I'm here to tell you if that's the perspective that you as students have, you're in for a heckuva surprise."
Business owners and managers always determine who does what, where and for how much, even though business pays more than ever and offers more benefits, he said.
The basic premise of a good day's work for a good day's pay has not changed.
Those who they can slack off and coast from job to job will be surprised when the "tap on the shoulder" comes from fellow employees.
"No one wants their work to be dragged down by another worker. No one wants to be put at risk by those who don't care."
McLellan said he doesn't believe the Palliser students would be among the slackers.
"You seem to understand the value of hard work. You have invested to attain a goal."

Ron Walter can be reached at 691-1264.

McLellan urges Palliser students to think about business ownership
With the students listening at the SIAST Palliser Campus business and industry dinner Wednesday night beginning their careers soon, Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce chief executive officer Steve McLellan urged them to think about business ownership.
A recent Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce survey revealed that 70 per cent of Saskatchewan's small business owners are thinking about retirement in the next 10 years.
That statistics offers opportunity for the students, he said.
The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce growth strategy has set targets it wants to see by 2030, he said.
A provincial population of 1.5 million by then, up from one million, is one goal, he said.
The 50 per cent increase can be done by retaining young people, attracting former residents, new comers and by immigration.
"There is no going back to what we were 10 years ago, population-wise, economically or socially.
"If some people find that scary, others find it exciting."
And more population is needed to pay taxes for public services, he said.
Students and business should look at doing things differently such as private-public partnerships to meet goals, he said.
- Walter