The unemployment rate in the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula Economic Region has decreased to 3.6 per cent in September, remaining the lowest among the economic regions in Ontario.
A release from the Four County Labour Market Planning Board notes the decrease was by 0.3 per cent, from the initial 3.9 per cent.
Meanwhile the unemployment rate in Ontario decreased to 8.1 per cent.
According the planning board, the overall net employment in the region increased by 1,200, with 700 full-time gains and 600 part-time, continuing the three month trend of increases for part-time workers.
The number of goods-producing sector workers increased by net 400, mainly due to the positive gains from 1,500 in construction. The biggest losses came from agriculture, with 800.
The employment in the services-producing sector also saw an increase by net 900, with the biggest gains coming from health care and social assistance, accounting for 2,300. Transportation and warehousing also contributed with 1,200.
The largest losses in this sector came from accommodation and food services, registering at 900. The gains in other sub-sectors greatly offset this loss, however, resulting in the net gain of 900 jobs in the services sector.
Executive Director of the Four County Labour Market Planning Board Gemma Mendez-Smith notes, many of the job losses could be attributed to students returning to school and the seasonal nature of parts of the local economy.
“Nonetheless, an increase in the labour pool remains a key priority for the region as there are many jobs that continue to remain vacant for extended periods,” says Mendez-Smith.
The planning board notes the current job postings for the Bruce, Grey, Huron, and Perth region has increased, with the current number of postings exceeding 2,500.
More details can be found on the Connect 2 Jobs website.
