Vol. 11 Issue 3, November 26, 2020
Hamilton's Labour Market Connection
Your weekly news & updates from WPH!
In this week's edition: Supporting skills & training to support Canada's recovery; Hamilton Labour Market Update - October; SAO: Food Manufacturing; Who's Hiring in Hamilton?; Hamilton LMI October 2020
Supporting Skills & Training Can Fuel Resilient Recovery in Canada

Many Canadians have lost their jobs over the past months, while those who remain employed have had to adjust to a completely different way of working. In times like these, the critical role of Canada’s post-secondary system – helping Canadians adapt and develop the skills they need – becomes more important than ever. Canada’s economy will rely on workers gaining new skills or improving existing ones.

With over 95 per cent of Canadians living within 50 kilometers of a college or institute, leveraging this network as a key partner in economic recovery will go a long way to ensuring future investments reach Canadians where they are, with programs that can help them get back to work quickly and prepare for the future, whatever it may hold.
Hamilton Labour Market Update: October 2020

Hamilton’s number of employed people in October has decreased for the first time since June; employment increases stalled in September and has now decreased by 5,600 people in October.

The number of people unemployed increased by 1,000 people in Hamilton . The unemployment rate increased to 9.2%. The labour force participation rate (LFPR) (the number of people in the labour force per population) and employment rate (ER) (the number of people employed per population) both decreased as well, falling to 61.8% and 56.1% respectively. With the LFPR declining, this means that people have dropped out of the labour force and stopped looking for work.

In Ontario, we still saw employment gains. The growth in jobs has slowed from previous months and the unemployment rate did increase to 9.6%. However, the LFPR and ER did not decrease so Hamilton’s economy is seeing a greater impact due to the pandemic than the surrounding communities.
Industrial Changes in Hamilton

The most job losses occurred in the Wholesale and retail trade industry, declining by 5,500 people. This is followed by Transportation and warehousing; and Business, building and other support services, both declining by 2,400 jobs.

Accommodation and food services and Wholesale and retail trade have seen the greatest declines since the start of the pandemic and both declined again in October after months of gains. This is concerning because these are industries with a large share of entry-level jobs, and this occurred before the lockdowns were reinstituted in Hamilton.

 The overall service-producing sector saw a decline of 6,700 jobs while the goods-producing sector saw an increase of 4,500 jobs.

The goods-producing sector was led by the Manufacturing, which saw an increase of 4,700 jobs in October. This has been a positive development as Manufacturing has seen all its jobs recovered, and has actually grown by 3,400 jobs since the start of the pandemic
Skills Advance Ontario: Food Manufacturing 
Find Your Job in the Food Manufacturing Industry!
NEW PROGRAM! Goodwill's new program for adults ages 18+, employed less than 20 hours, and not currently in full-time education. 5 weeks of free skills training, 4 weeks of paid job opportunities and 52 weeks of on-going support for job retention and advancement.

Program Start: January 4, 2020
Currently conducting intakes.
Who's Hiring in Hamilton During COVID-19?

New job board provides opportunities for businesses and job seekers
With support from the city’s Economic Development Office we are sharing a new platform for Hamilton businesses and their local employment needs. During these unprecedented times there is a desire for real-time information on job opportunities across many sectors in our city.

Hamilton Labour Force Information:
September 2020

The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Hamilton, Hamilton Economic Development, and the Flamborough and Stoney Creek Chambers of Commerce, are closely monitoring and assessing new developments pertaining to COVID-19, as well as its impacts on Hamilton business.

Workforce Planning Hamilton | 905-521-5777| [email protected] | www.workforceplanninghamilton.ca