Walkerton, ON (February 9, 2018) – The January unemployment rate for the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula Economic Region rose by 0.3 percentage points to 4.4%. In January, 2,300 people left the labour force in the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula Economic Region. The provincial unemployment rate in January slightly increased by 0.1 percentage points to 5.2%.

Employment fell by 2,600 in January. The overall employment decline was due to losses in full-time work\ (-2,300) and part-time work (-300). The loss was mainly attributed to fewer jobs in the Goods-producing sector.

Overall, the Goods-producing sector saw a net loss of 3,300 jobs. The employment decrease was observed in a number of Goods-producing industries. The Construction (-2,100) and Manufacturing (-1,800) saw the biggest losses. On the other hand, employment was up by 1,300 in Utilities.

Employment in the Services-producing sector saw a net increase of 700 in January. The monthly gains were in Accommodation and food services (-1,300) and Health care and social assistance (+400). At the same time, fewer people worked in Professional, scientific and technical services (-900), Information, culture and recreation (-900), and Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing (-700).

EMC Power Canada Ltd will host a job fair on March 7 at the Learning Centre in Kincardine. EMC, a Bruce Power support company, will expand its presence in Kincardine during Bruce Power’s Life Extension Program. EMC has been working with Bruce Power for over a decade, and the expansion will lead to the hiring of another ten to 12 construction professionals in multiple areas.

The Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre in Owen Sound will host a job fair on February 28 from 2 to 6 pm.

The Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries announced that it secured office space in Bruce County.

Sierra Systems, a Vancouver-based IT consulting firm, opened an office in Underwood at the Bruce Township Community Centre.

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