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More people rejoining area’s labour force

More people rejoining area’s labour force

by | Sep 9, 2022 | Press Release, Workforce Planning Board Of Grand Erie News

August 2022 employment grew in Brantford-Brant, but the jobless rate still climbed after an influx of people searched for work.

The local unemployment rate climbed to 3.8% last month, up from 3.4% in July.

Meanwhile, Canada’s jobless rate jumped half a percentage point to 5.4% in August as employment fell by 40,000 overall. Ontario’s rate climbed to 5.7%, attributed to more people searching for work.

Based on its survey of Brantford-Brant residents, Statistics Canada estimated that an additional 1,700 people entered the labour market in August, with 1,300 finding jobs and 400 not. That pushed up the employment rate by a full percentage point to 64.6%, the highest in the last year.

“With many businesses experiencing labour shortages, this influx of workers is particularly good news,” said Danette Dalton, executive director of the Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie.

“This will help take some pressure off businesses, but we know that the tight labour market will continue, with lots of competition for workers.”

Dalton said that some companies have increased wages, improved benefits and offered signing bonuses, but it isn’t clear if these actions have enticed people to rejoin the workforce.

The planning board has launched a new survey to better understand what job seekers and workers value most in a job. Wages, benefits, opportunity for promotion, the ability to use a person’s skills?

The Quality of Work survey will run over the next couple of month and local residents are encouraged to take 10 minutes to complete it: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QoW-BE

August saw 3,900 new jobs listed on Grand Erie Jobs, reversing the drop seen in July.

Typically, the most in-demand jobs are in the service industry, which is where the majority of employment growth in August came from, led by positions in wholesale and retail trade.

Statistics Canada’s local survey showed a large chunk of job growth was in full-time work. More men than women began working, with more job gains among men in the core working ages of 25 – 54.

Visit Statistics Canada’s website to read its news release on August 2022 employment in Canada and Ontario.

Area jobless rate hits 16-year record low

Area jobless rate hits 16-year record low

by | Aug 5, 2022 | Press Release, Workforce Planning Board Of Grand Erie News

July 2022 employment numbers saw Brantford-Brant set a new record low jobless rate, further cementing the area as having one of the strongest labour markets in Ontario.

The Brantford area’s unemployment rate declined to 3.4% in July, down from June’s 3.9%, according to seasonally adjusted estimates released by Statistics Canada. In Ontario, only Guelph was lower at 3.2%.

Across Canada, employment was down 31,000, but the national jobless rate remained unchanged at a record low of 4.9%. Ontario recorded most of the employment losses with 27,000, causing the provincial unemployment rate to climb slightly to 5.3%.

Brantford’s 3.4% jobless rate is the lowest since comparable data started being collected in 2006. The number of local unemployed people in July was estimated at 2,700, also the lowest in 16 years.

“It’s fantastic to see so many local residents working and our area setting a new record low unemployment rate,” said Danette Dalton, executive director of the Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie.

“Unfortunately, it also means that local businesses will continue to face challenges hiring staff, as the pool of available labour has shrunk.”

There were an estimated 76,700 people employed in Brantford-Brant in July, up more than 1,000 from June and the highest since November 2019.

The local labour market saw employment gains mainly in service-related jobs, with modest gains in most categories, led by educational services, wholesale and retail trade, and professional services. Manufacturing also saw some gains, while employment in construction continues to hold steady.

July 2022 employment gains were in full-time work, with part-time employment declining slightly.

Grand Erie Jobs, the community’s largest job board, saw about 3,100 new jobs posted in July, a significant drop from the number seen in each of the last three months. More than 72% of postings were for full-time work, with the majority of those considered permanent positions. Casual positions accounted for less than 6% of job postings.

Visit Statistics Canada’s website to read its news release on July 2022 employment in Canada and Ontario.

Brantford jobless rate falls to 3.9% in June

Brantford jobless rate falls to 3.9% in June

by | Jul 13, 2022 | Press Release, Workforce Planning Board Of Grand Erie News

June 2022 employment numbers saw Brantford rack up additional employment gains.

The area gained hundreds of jobs in June, dropping the monthly unemployment rate to 3.9%, down from May’s 4.6%, according to Statistics Canada’s labour force survey of local households.

Norfolk’s jobless rate was estimated at 4.3% in June, a sizeable improvement over the 7.4% recorded in June 2021. Norfolk’s lower rate was due to a shrinking labour force since the actual number of people employed stayed the same year over year.

Canada’s monthly unemployment rate fell to a new record low of 4.9% in June, even though 43,000 fewer people were employed. The rate drop was due to fewer people searching for work. Meanwhile, Ontario’s rate fell to 5.1%.

In Brantford, the overall size of the labour force increased for the first time in several months, while the employment rate improved due to the job gains. The June 2022 employment numbers showed job gains in both full-time and part-time work.

Impressive job numbers

“These impressive numbers come at a time when some employers are experiencing a labour shortage,” said Danette Dalton, executive director of the Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie. “There are still hundreds of potential workers who aren’t in the labour force who can help fill that shortage. The good news is that when residents join or rejoin the workforce there are usually jobs for them.”

Dalton said retirements in the last year have made a tight labour pool even tighter. The number of residents ages 65 and over not in the labour force – neither employed nor looking for work – has increased by more than 3,000 since June 2021. A large majority of those were women.

By contrast, in the previous one-year period, June 2020 to June 2021, the number of people 65 and over not in the labour force declined.

Grand Erie Jobs postings

The number of new job openings posted on Grand Erie Jobs, the community’s largest job board, has been holding steady at around 4,000 each month for the region. Meanwhile, the number of companies posting jobs each month has been consistently around 2,000.

In the last couple months, there’s been noticeable jumps in the number of postings in retail trade, transportation and warehousing, and information and culture. Education job postings have jumped even more, as this is a traditional time that school boards, colleges and universities post.

Visit Statistics Canada’s website to read its news release on June 2022 employment in Canada and Ontario.

Local unemployment drops once again

Local unemployment drops once again

by | Jun 10, 2022 | Press Release, Workforce Planning Board Of Grand Erie News

May 2022 employment numbers show Brantford’s jobless is now the lowest in southern Ontario, after it dropped for the sixth straight month.

The city’s unemployment rate declined to 4.6% in May, down from April’s 4.8%, according to seasonally adjusted estimates released by Statistics Canada on Friday.

In Ontario, only Belleville, Sudbury and Thunder Bay have jobless rates lower than Brantford-Brant. The rates for the adjacent communities of Hamilton, St. Catharines-Niagara, Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo are just above 5%.

Canada’s economy added 40,000 jobs in May, driven by job gains for women, dropping the national monthly unemployment rate to 5.1% – a new record low. Ontario’s rate was little changed at 5.5%.

Brantford’s jobless rate has fallen by a full 3% in the last six months, the largest decline among all Ontario communities surveyed, as well as provincially and nationally.

“The recent decline in Brantford’s jobless rate has been impressive,” said Danette Dalton, executive director. “That doesn’t mean there still aren’t challenges or room for improvement in the local labour market.”

Dalton said that even though unemployment has dropped, there are still fewer people participating in the labour market than six months ago.

“There are about 2,000 less people in the labour force, which is contributing to a tight labour market and making it difficult for some employers to fill job openings,” she said. “They want to hire but they can’t find the people.”

Grand Erie Jobs, the Workforce Planning Board’s community job board, saw more than 4,000 new job postings in May, on par with last month’ Employers with the most job postings included Wilfrid Laurier, Brant Community Healthcare System, Lowe’s, and local governments.

May 2022 employment statistics also showed am increase in part-time work and a drop in full-time work. This is most noticeable among women and among all workers 15 to 24 in age, many of whom work in the service industry. Month-over-month, meanwhile, May employment grew the most in manufacturing, according to Statistics Canada..

Visit Statistics Canada’s website to read its news release on May 2022 employment in Canada and Ontario.

Summer student jobs and youth resources

Summer student jobs and youth resources

by | Jun 10, 2022 | Workforce Planning Board Of Grand Erie News

Companies around the Grand Erie region are currently hiring for summer student positions. These companies include Piller’s Fine Foods, Circle Square Ranch, Maple Leaf Foods, Linde Canada and Grand River Employment and Training.

Our Grand Erie Job Board allows youth to search for summer jobs in Brantford, Brant, Haldimand, Norfolk, Six Nations and New Credit. Currently dozens and dozens of summer student job openings are posted in the area.

Many non-profit community agencies such as Community Addictions and Mental Health Services of Haldimand and Norfolk, Habitat for Humanity, Norfolk Association for Community Living, Alzheimer Society and Lions McInnes House are currently advertising for summer students under a special government program called Canada Summer Jobs. All Canada Summer Jobs are searchable here: https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/youth

The COVID-19 Pandemic has added unique challenges for youth and their ability to find employment during the past few years. Help is available to youth who lack information about employment programs and job searching tools – and with their summer job hunt.

Educational institutions and area organization such as St. Leonard’s Community Services, Brantford-Brant Business Resource Centre (BRC), CareerLink and other regional employment service providers offer various programs and services across our region to not only help young people find a summer job; but for graduating students or for youth not in school – their first full time job and to also help those interested in learning how they can start their own business.

For example, aspiring entrepreneurs ages 15 to 29 years old can apply for the Summer Company Student Grant Program offered through Brantford-Brant Business Resource Centre to students living in the City of Brantford, County of Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk Counties, and Six Nations of the Grand River.

The program lets students take the plunge into business ownership and teaches them how to problem solve, communicate effectively, and the importance of a strong work ethic. Students will also learn all aspects of running a business including how to manage their business finances, marketing and sales, customer service, building and controlling inventory and the behind the scenes work that is required to operate a successful business.

Successful applicants receive up to $1,500 to assist with start-up costs and an additional $1,500 on completion of the program.

Other Local Youth Employment Resources:

Grand Erie District School Board: Home :: Grand Erie District School Board

CareerLink: About :: Career Link

St. Leonard’s Community Services Wrap Program: Youth Employment Skills Strategy – Work Readiness and Advancement Program (WRAP) | St. Leonard’s (st-leonards.com)

Brant Skills Centre: Brant Skills Centre

G.R.E.A.T: The Student Office – GREAT (greatsn.com)

Fanshawe Community Career and Employment Services: Community Career and Employment Services (Simcoe) | Fanshawe College

City School by Mohawk: City School by Mohawk | Mohawk College

Brantford Business Resource Centre: Business Resource Centre – City of Brantford – Economic Development (advantagebrantford.ca)

First Work: First Work – Ontario’s Youth Employment Network

First Work Aspire Initiative: Home – Youth Aspire

Wilfrid Laurier University LaunchPad: LaunchPad | Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation | Students – Wilfrid Laurier University (wlu.ca)

Wilfrid Laurier University: Career and Employment Support | Students – Wilfrid Laurier University (wlu.ca)

Conestoga College: https://studentsuccess.conestogac.on.ca/myCareer

Six Nations Polytechnic: Careers | Six Nations Polytechnic (snpolytechnic.com)CareerLink: Job Seeker :: Career Link

Contact North: Welcome to contactnorth.ca | Contact North | contactnorth.ca

Canadian Mental Health Association Brant Haldimand Norfolk: CMHA Brant Haldimand Norfolk – Mental Health for All  

Grand Erie Jobs: https://workforceplanningboard.org/find-jobs/

Brantford jobless rate continues to slide

Brantford jobless rate continues to slide

by | May 6, 2022 | Press Release, Workforce Planning Board Of Grand Erie News

April 2022 employment numbers for Brantford showed the jobless rate decline for the 5th straight month.

April’s unemployment rate fell to 4.8%, from 5.1% in March, the lowest since January 2020, according to Statistics Canada’s latest survey of Brantford area residents.

Brantford has a lower unemployment rate than the nearby communities of Hamilton, Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo, St. Catharines-Niagara and Guelph, while London recorded the same 4.8% figure.

April 2022 employment was little changed across Canada, with the national jobless rate inching down to 5.2%. Ontario’s unemployment rate inched up to 5.4%.

Canada’s unemployment rate for people in the core working ages of 25 to 54 was 4.3%, the lowest since comparable data became available in 1976.

“There are signs of an increasingly tight labour force in the Brantford area,” said Danette Dalton, the Workforce Planning Board’s executive director. “The number of residents participating in the labour market has declined, meaning there are fewer potential workers for our employers to draw on.”

Since April 2021, the Brantford area labour force has shrunk by an estimated 3,300 people, a figure that includes 1,800 fewer employed. Meanwhile, the percentage of adults participating in the labour force fell 3.6%.

Dalton said there’s still a strong appetite from employers for workers, with lots of competition for a smaller pool of potential workers.

There were a record 4,100 postings in April on Grand Erie Jobs, the region’s largest job board that is operated by the Workforce Planning Board.

“The number of companies looking for and competing for workers has increased, and businesses are doing more to stand out, including participating in job fairs and advertising more,” Dalton said.

“Firms are also focusing on keeping the workers they have, either by increasing wages and benefits, or improving work-life balance for employees. A survey the Workforce Planning Board conducted last year showed that people are attracted to workplaces that offer good work-life balance.”

Visit Statistics Canada’s website to read its news release on April 2022 employment in Canada and Ontario.

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