Top Challenges in Factory Worker Recruitment and How to Overcome Them

Hiring reliable factory workers in the Mississauga, Brampton, Peel, and the Greater Toronto Area isn’t as easy as it used to be. Whether you're running a small operation in Mississauga or managing a large plant in Brampton, finding the right people — and keeping them — is one of the biggest challenges facing factory owners and operators today.

If you’re constantly stuck with empty shifts, high turnover, or just not getting the kind of workers you need, you’re not alone. Here are the top hiring challenges factories in the GTA are facing — and how working with a local staffing agency like Noble Human Resources Solutions can make a big difference.

1. Shortage of workers

General labour roles are getting harder and harder to fill these days. Across the GTA, factories in places like Mississauga, Brampton, North York, and Vaughan are all competing for the same limited pool of reliable general labourers. Whether you need help loading and unloading, packing, sorting, assembly line work, or just someone with a strong back and a good attitude, it’s not as simple as putting up a job post and waiting.

The competition is tough.

How Noble helps:

We’ve spent years building a solid network of skilled and semi-skilled workers right here in the GTA. We pre-screen every candidate, check for the right training and certifications, and make sure they’re ready to hit the ground running. If your role needs a specific skill, we’ll find someone who has it — or can be trained quickly.

2. High turnover and no-shows

High turnover is one of the biggest headaches for factories in the GTA — especially in entry-level or temporary roles. One week you’ve got a full crew, the next week you’re scrambling to fill shifts because three people quit and one just stopped showing up altogether.

A big part of the problem is that some workers just see factory jobs as short-term gigs. They might jump ship for a few extra dollars an hour, or they’re not fully prepared for the physical demands of the job. Sometimes, they just disappear — no call, no show.

How Noble helps:

We don’t just send “bodies” to fill roles. We take the time to understand your workplace and find workers who are the right fit — not just for the job, but for your company culture too. We also offer temp-to-hire options so you can test the fit before making a long-term decision. And if someone doesn’t work out? We’ll find a replacement fast.

3. Hiring takes too much time

You post a job online, wait days (or weeks) for decent applications to trickle in, screen resumes, chase down references, book interviews, and hope the person you pick actually shows up and knows what they’re doing. All of that eats into your time — and meanwhile, the rest of your team is working overtime just to keep things moving.

And it’s not just the time — it’s the uncertainty. Even after putting in all that effort, there’s still a chance that your new hire might ghost you on day one, or quit after a week because the job wasn’t what they expected.

How Noble helps:

We do the heavy lifting. From posting your job to interviewing and onboarding, we handle the full recruitment process. Because we already have a pool of ready-to-work candidates in places like Brampton, Vaughan, and Etobicoke, we can fill your openings faster — often in less than 24 hours.

4. Safety and compliance concerns

In factory environments, safety isn’t optional — it’s essential. One accident on the floor can set your team back days, lead to serious injuries, and even open you up to fines or legal issues. On top of that, staying compliant with Ontario’s labour laws and health regulations can be a full-time job in itself.

You can’t afford to have someone on your floor who doesn’t follow safety rules or understand the basics of the job.

How Noble helps:

Our candidates are trained in safety protocols, including WHMIS requirements. We also handle background checks and any paperwork needed to stay compliant with Ontario labour laws. When you hire through us, you’re not just getting a worker — you’re getting peace of mind.

5. Finding reliable and punctual workers

Let’s be honest — showing up on time, every time, should be the bare minimum. But lately, that seems to be one of the biggest challenges for factory owners across the GTA.

Unreliable workers don’t just cost you time — they drag down team morale, create unnecessary stress for your supervisors, and slow everything down. And the worst part? You often don’t know someone’s unreliable until it’s already too late.

How Noble helps:

We’ve developed a strong vetting process that includes checking references and past attendance records. We also stay in regular contact with both you and the worker to make sure things are going smoothly. If there’s ever an issue, we’re just a phone call away.

Why choose Noble Human Resources Solutions to help you overcome your factory recruitment challenges?

We’re not a big national chain — we’re based right here in Mississauga, and we know the local job market inside and out. We’ve helped factories across the GTA find great workers quickly and easily.

Whether you need five people for your night shift tomorrow or you’re looking to build a long-term team, we’re here to help. We know what local factories need — and we deliver.

Give us a call or fill out the Employer Contact Form. Let’s keep your production line moving with the right people on the job.