Labour Market Information: Updates & News
We’re your local labour market experts! The Skills Centre is leading the way in distributing accessible, relevant, and timely labour market updates for the Kootenays, British Columbia & Canada. Labour market information can help people and communities make informed decisions – and we are here to help!
Labour Market Debrief & Dashboard
On this page you’ll find our analysis of the latest labour market trends and updates and what the information means for our region and the province. You can also find all of our past monthly reports. Contact us if you want to learn more about local labour market info and how it affects you as an employer or an employee.
March 2023 Labour Market Update
Kootenays holds lowest unemployment rate in BC, again
Available jobs and an eager workforce supported the region’s low unemployment. As job seekers found work, and more people entered the workforce, labour shortages persisted.
BC had the second lowest unemployment rate in the country. Jobs in the province continued to outnumber people looking for work.
Labour shortages, what’s being done?
BC’s Future Ready plan will address labour shortages. $480 million is being allocated to skills training needed for current job shortages. Job seekers will have an opportunity to become better equip for work through development of skills in demand. Employers will see improved employee recruitment and retention, labour shortages addressed, and anticipated business growth.
Canada’s workforce is growing, becoming increasingly diverse. 84% of South Asian Canadians, 78% of Chinese Canadians and 80% of Black Canadians, all aged 25-54 years, are now employed.
Here’s the rest of March’s labour market update:
Kootenays*
- 1,700 additional people entered the labour force this month
- 1,500 people found work
- Unemployment rate increased .3%, to 3.2%
BC**
- 16,800 less people in the labour force
- Unemployment rate was 4.5%, second lowest in Canada
- 1,400 more full-time jobs available
Canada**
- 21,300 additional people started participating in the labour force
- Unemployment rate was 5% for fourth consecutive month
- Average hourly wages rose 5.3% since last year (+$1.68 per hour increase or $33.12 per hour)
Top job growth industries – here they are!
Highlighting industries with the greatest overall job increases, numbers include unemployed persons starting a new job, persons new to the labour market starting a new job, and people already employed who changed jobs or industries:
Kootenays
- 1,700 jobs in trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (except management)
- 1,000 jobs in sales and service occupations (except management)
- 300 jobs in both health occupations (except management) and law, education and social community and government services (except management)
BC
- 9,400 jobs in utilities
- 9,300 jobs in transportation and warehousing
- 2,300 in jobs in retail and wholesale
Canada
- 40,600 jobs in transportation and warehousing
- 30,500 jobs in business, building and other support services
- 18,500 jobs in finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing
We’re launching new pre-employment and employment programs!
Whether looking for work now or not quite ready to start looking just yet, we’ll have something for you! Be sure to check back for updates on new programs here.
Questions or comments? Alia Locken, Research Officer at the Skills Centre, prepared this release. Contact her through email alocken@skillscentre.ca or phone (250)368-6360 ext 223.
*Unadjusted
**Adjusted
February 2023 Labour Market Update
Kootenays has BC’s lowest unemployment rate
Job seekers are finding work in the Kootenays. Our population is increasing slowly, and more people are entering the labour force, meaning they are starting to look for work or are starting a job. Fewer people remain unemployed or are leaving the search for employment. All of this adds up to the Kootenays having the lowest unemployment rate in BC in February.
The provincial unemployment rate edged up slightly in February though it is the fourth lowest in Canada.
Women continue to drive job growth in BC with an increase of 15,500 jobs and 26,000 more women in the labour force. Men saw drops in both employment (-7,600) and labour participation (-2,700) during the same period.
42,500 more women and 9,500 more men are in jobs in BC than this time last year.
Brenda Bailey, BC’s Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, noted that in February, “all of the job growth seen was from women’s employment” and emphasized the province’s commitment to creating an economy that works for everyone.
Across Canada, 9.6 million women were employed in February, representing close to 60% of all women 15 years and older now working. Women 55 to 64 years also experienced record high employment during the month. Although women continue to reach highs around representation in work, the gender pay gap continues to disappoint as women average close to $5.00 less per hour than men.
Let’s take a look at what the rest of February’s labour market data had to say:
Kootenays*
- 1,300 additional people entered the labour force this month
- 1,700 people found a job
- Unemployment rate dropped .6%, to 2.9%
BC**
- 28,600 additional people started participating in the labour force
- 6,700 people found a job
- Unemployment rate was 5.1%, still one of the lowest in Canada
Canada**
- 42,200 additional people started participating in the labour force
- Unemployment rate held steady at 5%, same as January
- People 55-64 saw employment gains again, continuing the upward trend that started last August
Job growth was spread throughout industries and occupations. Below are the highlights showing the highest overall increases in jobs. These numbers include unemployed persons starting a new job, persons new to the labour market starting a new job, and people already employed who changed jobs or industries.
Kootenays
- 1,700 jobs in law, education, social community and government services (except management)
- 1,000 jobs in trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (except management)
- 700 jobs in art, culture, recreation and sport (except management)
BC
- 8,100 jobs in health care and social assistance
- 5,200 in agriculture
- 3,300 in professional, scientific, and tech services
Canada
- 15,000 jobs in health care and social assistance
- 10,000 jobs in public administration
- 7,500 jobs in utilities
Considering entering the labour market? Let’s see how we can help!
- Learn about our programs and services here or contact us to find out more.
- Check out our job board – a great resource for job seekers!
- Sign up here for our quarterly newsletter, Community Chatter, to stay connected.
We’re launching new pre-employment and employment programs!
Whether looking for work now or not quite ready to start looking just yet, we’ll have something for you! Be sure to check back for updates on new programs here.
Questions or comments? Alia Locken, Research Officer at the Skills Centre, prepared this release. Contact her through email alocken@skillscentre.ca or phone (250)368-6360 ext 223.
*Unadjusted
**Adjusted
Our dedicated team is ready to help.
Alia Locken, Research Officer at the Skills Centre, prepared the data analysis and interpretations presented on this page. If you have questions or comments contact Alia at alocken@skillscentre.ca or (250)368-6360 ext 223
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