Vol. 5 Issue 3, May 21, 2020
Hamilton's Labour Market Connection
Your weekly news & updates from WPH!
In this week's edition: Launch of new job board - Who's hiring in Hamilton during COVID-10?; Mohawk City School START Program, Labour Marketing Information; Advice during layoffs; Hamilton LMI April
Who's Hiring in Hamilton During COVID-19?

New Job Board Launch!
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.

The new initiative- Who’s hiring in Hamilton during COVID-19- intends to match jobseekers in our local community with immediate employment opportunities offered by local employers via a new online job board. The information will be organized by economic sector to ensure candidates can connect with employers quickly and easily.

The job board will be available during the COVID-19 pandemic and will be active based on business needs. We ask that you please visit the site, submit your hiring opportunities and please share with your networks. 

We thank you for your attention to this request and sincerely hope we can assist in helping with your employment needs during this time.

Mohawk City School START Program
Mohawk College City School is offering a Free online course and you can apply today!

Explore the many career opportunities in Advanced Manufacturing by completing a series of modules online focused on manufacturing processes and procedures, quality, safety and maintenance awareness. This program provides insight into how work is done across a range of sectors including steel, automotive and plastics and food processing. Discover the principles of automation and basic machining and manufacturing processes.

The course is online and available for you to do at your own pace from May 25 to August 21.

Information Sessions


If you are unsure about registering and want more information then you can attend an Information Session online to learn how to build your skills and experience to unlock your career in Hamilton’s advanced manufacturing sector.

Next information session dates:

Thursday, May 21, 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Tuesday, May 26, 2:30 - 3:30 pm
Wednesday, June 3, 5:00 - 6:00 pm


What's Happening In The Labour Market?
The following report shows employment data by sector for the month of April but also includes data over the last two months. It focuses on Ontario level data from the Labour Force Survey.

Overall, the data shows the Ontario labour market had dramatic deterioration due to the economic lock-downs and with some sectors seeing massive job losses.
decline
Sectors Losses

Accommodation and Retail trade lead the largest drops in employment both in total and percentage change. Accommodation and food services has dropped by nearly half (47%) and a total job loss of 202,900. Employment in Retail trade declined by 185,500 jobs.

There were large drops in employment in April in the Manufacturing and Construction sector. They are now in the top 5 industries with the largest decline since the pandemic started. There was also a large decrease in employment in good-producing sectors (service-producing sector still leads in declines).

Professional, scientific and technical services saw a small growth in employment in March, 400 jobs, but then a large decline in April of 35,500. Similarly, Wholesale trade increased by 600 jobs in March but then fell by 25,000 jobs in April.
Sector Gains

The only sector that had an increase in employment over the last two months was Finance and insurance, with an increase in employment of 9,900 jobs (2.2%).

Two other sectors that saw gains in April were Agriculture, 2,700 jobs, and Utilities, 2,400 jobs. Over the last two months these sectors still had job losses.

The below chart looks at the month over month employment change of the seven industries that have been most affected by the economic lockdown.  
Company Size

Job losses over the last two months have been more concentrated among smaller employers. Forty-four percent of all job losses have been among employers with less than 20 employees and only 10% of the job losses have been among large employers (more than 500 employees). 
You Are Not Powerless in the Face of Layoffs
Millions of people have been impacted by layoffs in our community and around the world.

A group of leadership consultants provide 5 strategies to help people handle lay-offs gracefully in order to maintain connections and reputations during high stress times.

Hamilton Labour Force Information:
April 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