The unemployment rate in the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula Economic Region declined by 0.4 percentage points to 2.3 per cent, the lowest it has been since 2006.
Provincially, the unemployment rate decreased by 0.2 per cent to 5.6 per cent.
In a statement released Friday, the Four County Labour Market Planning Board said overall net employment in the region decreased by 1,100 with 2,400 full-time losses and 1,300 part-time gains.
The biggest losses were in the goods-producing sector where 4,100 positions were lost. Construction also saw a steep loss of 2,300 positions, and agriculture saw losses of 1,200.
The services-producing sector saw gains of 3,000 new positions, the education services saw an increase of 2,100, and information, culture, and recreation saw an increase of 1,500 positions.
“Job vacancies remain unfilled for long periods as our local employers continue to struggle to attract and retain the workforce they require,” Dana Soucie, Executive Director for the Four County Labour Market Planning Board said. “As our unemployment rate remains chronically low; the current worker shortages will require innovative solutions and community collaboration.”
