WPH completes four core projects yearly and this year we are embarking on a project to develop a community-wide strategy to address the barriers and issues of people in Hamilton who are long term unemployed. For the purposes of this study long term unemployed people are those who have been out of work for over one year.
The project is underway with a steering committee of key stakeholders created which includes employment services, education and literacy partners, Ontario Works/ODSP and employers.
Research from the Labour Force Survey shows that over the last five years the share of long-term unemployed has fallen by half across the province, from 77,700 in 2014 to 39,000 in 2018. However, information from City of Hamilton, Ontario Works shows that during this same period the average time on social assistance has increased in Hamilton.
WPH will be surveying 100 unemployed persons and holding one on one interviews with 20 individuals to discover their barriers to employment.
Research will be carried out regarding best practices and a planning event will be held to develop a local community strategy.
For more information or to be involved with this project please contact Judy Travis, Executive Director, WPH at judy.travis@workforceplanninghamilton.ca
or call: 905-521-5777 ext. 15.
