Vol. 10 Issue 3, October 15, 2020
Hamilton's Labour Market Connection
Your weekly news & updates from WPH!
In this week's edition: McMaster Co-op program advanced manufacturing & automotive employers; Update on Hamiltons LMI; Youth Employment funding must consider technology & mental health; Who's Hiring in Hamilton?; Hamilton LMI September, 2020
McMaster Co-Op

Are you an automotive or advanced manufacturing business looking to hire a McMaster Engineering co-op student?

Apply for the The McMaster Career Ready Fund & McMaster will help cover the salary costs for the Fall 2020 and Winter 2021 co-op terms!


Engineering Co-op & Career Services, in partnership with the McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute and the Student Success Centre, was awarded funding through the Government of Ontario to support co-op opportunities for our students.  

McMaster’s Career Ready Fund Automotive will be receiving $1 million to help small and medium-sized businesses in the automotive and advanced manufacturing sectors hire co-op students from McMaster Engineering. This Fund will cover a portion of the salary of eligible McMaster students who are hired for a work placement.

This Fund is available for the Fall 2020 and Winter 2021 work terms. It could be used in combination with the Ontario Tax Credit, which results in up to $8000 in cost savings for hiring McMaster students in each four-month period. McMaster University is a partner with Magnet and the Discover Ability Network.

Application deadline: October 28, 2020.
Hamilton Labour Force Information: September 2020
In June, Hamilton’s labour market had seen consistent growth. Hamilton’s employment rate in June was at a historic low of 54.1% and has since grown over the last three months to 56.9%. However, in September the number of people employed remained the same and the number of people in the labour force actually decreased. This is also why the unemployment rate fell as more people withdrew from the labour market altogether. The unemployment rate in Hamilton as of September is 8.9% and 9.5% for Ontario. 

This trend of stalling employment and declining labour force was not observed across Ontario where the employment and labour force participation rates continued to grow. This could mean Hamilton has been more greatly impacted by the pandemic.

Below are industries that saw the largest declines and growth in September from the previous month. Wholesale and retail trade saw large declines despite this industry showing strong growth in the early stages of recovery. This industry employs many low skilled workers who have been greatly affected by the pandemic. 

Manufacturing saw strong growth in September and has nearly recovered all its pre-pandemic employment as it is only 3% lower than it was in February.
Funding For Youth Employment Must Reflect COVID Challenges

One of the hardest hit group of people impacted the most by COVID lockdowns and job loss s are young people. If they want to help young job-seekers, policy-makers must consider how they can improve technological and mental health support.

Youth, those aged 15-29 (7.2 million, or 19 percent of the people in Canada), have been greatly affected by the economic consequences of COVID-19. They have seen their education disrupted, hours cut, and jobs lost. According to Statistics Canada’s July Labour Force Survey, employment for youth aged 15-24 was 17.4 percent lower than in February, equivalent to 445,000 fewer workers.
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It has been shown that those starting their careers during an economic downturn face slower wage growth and career progression when compared with cohorts that start their careers in strong economic times. These numbers do not even take into account the mental health effects of vanishing job opportunities, and the general uncertainties that youth are facing.
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:
September 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