Local Unemployment rate continues to fall

(June 9, 2023) –Brantford-Brant unemployment rate drops for 4th consecutive month.

According to Statistics Canada’s monthly labour force survey, the area’s jobless rate shrunk 0 9 points to 4.1% in May, the lowest figure seen since July 2022.

Meanwhile, job gains slowed in Ontario and Canada. The national jobless rate rose to 5 2%, while the provincial rate climbed to 5.5% as a result of 24,000 fewer working.

Locally, employment dipped slightly this month - with the most significant decrease in the manufacturing sectorbut the area has seen about 4000 more working since last May.

The growth is concentrated in the manufacturing sector, but employment in finance and insurance also increased considerably compared to May 2022.

“While we remain optimistic given the yearover-year job growth, we do need to focus on supporting more youth with finding meaningful work as the summer approaches,” said Danette Dalton, executive director of the Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie.

The Workforce Planning Board is one of 26 non-profit organizations in Ontario that play a leadership role in labour force planning. The Workforce Planning Board is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.

“We’re seeing a growing number of students unable to find stable parttime employment and a number of youths not participating in the labour force because they feel discouraged. We need to create more opportunities to mentor and engage them, to utilize their unique talents and help them build their skillsets.”

Local community agencies came together last month to host EPIC jobs 2023, which showcased exciting trades and career opportunities to 1,600 elementary school students from across the Grand Erie region Grand Erie Jobs, the online job board operated by the Workforce Planning Board, saw about 2,500 new postings in May, down slightly from April. The largest number of postings continues to be in healthcare and social assistance and manufacturing, but postings for food service and retail trade jobs both increased this past month Brant County Healthcare System had the largest number of new job posts in May, followed by several regional municipalities