The unemployment rate in the Stratford to Bruce Peninsula Economic Region decreased again last month.
A release from the Four County Labour Market Planning Board says the unemployment rate dropped 1.1 percent to sit at 2.7 percent in September, which is the lowest in Ontario. It's the region’s lowest unemployment rate since December 2019. The provincial unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.8 percent, both unadjusted for seasonality. Overall net employment in the region decreased by 2,100, consisting of 900 full-time losses and 1,300 part-time losses.
The number of goods-producing sector employees decreased significantly by a net of 4,100. The construction sector experienced the biggest loss this month of 2,100 jobs followed by agriculture losing 1,600). Manufacturing experienced a slight gain of 500.
“With an aging workforce and an alarmingly low number of active job seekers; many local employers are facing long standing, and critical job vacancies,” Dana Soucie, Executive Director for the Four County Labour Market Planning Board, says. “It is more important than ever to explore, understand and remove barriers being faced by job seekers who are currently not able to participate in the workforce.”
Current job postings for the Bruce, Grey, Huron, Perth region have increased overtime since the pandemic and can be found at: http://www.connect2JOBS.ca.
