Amazon to hire more than 7,000 employees ahead of holiday season

Amazon said it’s hiring more than 7,000 employees in seasonal roles across its Canadian operations and offering an increase to hourly wage by 4.3% from 2024, to $24.50. 

Through a step plan compensation model, eligible hourly full- and part-time employees will receive planned pay increases every six months until their 24-month anniversary, notes a press release. 

The pay and benefit increases come from a $110 million investment from Amazon. 

The company also stated in a press release that it will add to its workplace benefits package by introducing the employee Prime benefit to eligible frontline employees in Canada by the end of 2025.

Employees with at least 90 days of tenure are also eligible for the enhanced career choice program, through which the company pre-pays 100 per cent of tuition towards a certificate or diploma in qualified fields of study, including truck driving, data analytics, and cybersecurity, notes the press release. 

Eighteen educational institutions across Canada are partnered with career choice, including Sheridan College, Algonquin College, Western Community College, and the Toronto Truck Driving School.

Eligible frontline employees will also receive a free Prime membership after 90 days of employment. 

Hiring will run from October to December and will include positions located at fulfilment centres, sortation centres, and delivery stations across Canada. Seasonal roles include stowing, picking, packing, sorting, and shipping customer orders.