Business in Winnipeg

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Expert discusses how to attract Young and Restless
winnipegfirst.ca

Attracting young, mobile, highly educated workers to Winnipeg was the focus of the keynote speech this morning at the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce's Leadercon 07 conference.

American economist Joseph Cortright, who has written about the factors that cause the 25 to 34 age group to migrate from one city to another, spoke to a business audience about ways to stem the brain drain.

With baby boomers set to retire, the number of women in the workforce at a plateau, and no significant increase foreseen in college attainability, there is a major workforce shortage on the horizon for North America, Cortright says.

According to Cortright's research, by a two-to-one margin, people choose where they would like to live and then try to find work, rather than the opposite.

Cities that are welcoming to new and diverse people and ideas, that strive to be the best at something, and take risks to achieve their goals are the most attractive, says Cortright.

Another finding is that the "Creative Class" is increasing interested in living within three miles of a city's central business district.

Creating vibrant urban neighbourhoods is a major magnet for the types of young professionals who will stay permanently in a city and help its economy grow.