Vol. 7 Issue 3, July 16, 2020
Hamilton's Labour Market Connection
Your weekly news & updates from WPH!
In this week's edition: 5 Questions to ask in an interview; Youth available for subsidized digital media support; June LFS information; Who's Hiring in Hamilton during COVID-19?; Hamilton LMI JUNE 2020
5 Questions You Should Ask in an Interview

As the economy begins to slowly reopen and employment rates begin to rise - there is an opportunity for job seekers to ask some thought provoking questions in interviews that may help you stand out from your competition and get a better understanding of how the company is fairing during these challenging times.

EMPLOYERS! Are You Interested In Hiring Youth to Help With Your Digital Media?
There has never been a greater need to have a solid online presence. Path Employment and 360 [4] Youth Program in partnership with Centre3 has an amazing group of youth who are trained and ready to take your social media to the next level!

They are looking for businesses that would like to hire one of our youth participants for a 12 week subsidized work placement.

This program includes:
  • Ready to work youth with training in Digital Media, Social Media Marketing, Photo Editing Software, MS Office, Social Media, and more!
  • 12 weeks of 50% subsidized, supported, and supervised work placement!
  • 30 hours of work each week but you only cover 15 (approx $210 a week)

What's Happening in the Labour Market? June Changes
Across the Canada there has been two consecutive months of employment growth as businesses begin to reopen. In June, Canada saw job gains of nearly one million (41% of jobs returning).

June showed the first increases in jobs in Ontario since the pandemic started four months ago - an increased by 377,900 jobs. At this point only one-third of the jobs have been recovered. In Hamilton there was still a decrease in employment in June (four straight months). It was a smaller decrease than previous months with a loss of 11,000 jobs. . In total Hamilton has seen decline of 56,900 jobs since the pandemic started, a decrease of 13%, and the number of unemployed have increased to from 21,900 to 51,000.

The unemployment rates are still very high. The jobless rates are in Ontario is 12.2% and 12.1% in Hamilton, near historic highs. Ontario saw has seen an increase in the labour force and employment rates as people are starting to enter the labour force. The chart below depicts labour force characteristics for Ontario and Hamilton throughout the entire pandemic to the present.

* Please note:
There was a three-month lag in Hamilton Census Metropolitan Area’s data. This was the first month that data was available because the three months are since the pandemic started in March.
During June Ontario started Phase 2 of its economic openings but Hamilton did not enter until later in the month and the survey may have been conducted before Hamilton entered Phase 2
Last week we shared a report providing an in-depth look at what May's labour force information was showing with regards to our labour markets locally and provincially. We will continue to update this document as we delve into June's labour market information.

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:
June 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| info@workforceplanninghamilton.ca | www.workforceplanninghamilton.ca