Staff Report
BRANT NEWS

Brantford-Brant’s unemployment rate dipped slightly in September as more job seekers found employment.

September’s local unemployment rate was 8.4 per cent, down from 8.6 per cent in August, according to Statistics Canada numbers released on Friday by BrantJobs.

Brant’s unemployment rate continues to be above the Ontario and national averages. September’s jobless rate was 7.9 per cent  in Ontario and 7.4 per cent nationally.

In September, 68,800 people were employed in Brantford-Brant’s labour force, an increase of 400 people and part of an ongoing upward trend. The number of residents participating in the labour force has also been climbing, an indication that more people are looking for work.

“Although people tend to focus on the unemployment percentage rate, a more accurate indicator of the health of the job market is the number of people who are employed,” said Jill Halyk, executive director of the Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie. “We’re seeing positive signs in Brantford-Brant with the employment rate steadily inching up month by month.”

During the past five months, employment has grown locally in manufacturing, construction, retail trade, accommodation and food services, as well as several other areas, according to Statistics Canada.

“We can see additional new jobs on the horizon as the plaza at Wayne Gretzky Parkway and Henry Street opens for business and as Extend Communications consolidates its business in downtown Brantford,” Halyk said. “Jobs in warehousing and logistics are also on the horizon.”

BrantJobs posted 403 jobs in September, the third straight month postings have topped the 400 mark. More than 50 per cent of job postings are for full-time positions.

Statistic Canada’s monthly labour force survey provides estimates of employment and unemployment based on a sampling of households in communities.

BrantJobs is a service of the City of Brantford and County of Brant that provides a broad range of employment solutions to local employers and job seekers. The Workforce Planning Board is one of 25 non-profit organizations in Ontario that play a leadership role in labour force planning.