Labour Market Update - Northern Nova Scotia
February, 2010*
Overview
Data Tables: http://www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/lfss05b-eng.htm
Employment levels follow a downward seasonal pattern
•Employment levels declined in February from January’s level, and have been on a downward trend since October. Between January and February, losses in full-time positions were responsible for the decline.
•Since the labour force decreased by a smaller amount than the decline in the number employed, the number unemployed in February rose relative to the previous month.
•The increase in the unemployment rate in February resulted from a smaller labour force combined with an increase in the number unemployed.
•Compared with this time last year, February’s employment levels were lower but only slightly (-300).
•Although employment was down slightly, there were significantly more looking for work this month than in February of last year. An increase in the size of the labour force was the primary reason. February’s unemployment rate is the highest it has been for the month since 2002.
•In February employment was lower in the Goods producing sector relative to January, but was marginally higher relative to February 2009 due to employment increases in Construction. Employment in the Services sector in February was unchanged compared to January. However, relative to February 2009, there were fewer employed in the Service producing industries. Job losses were highest in Accommodation & Food and Educational Services.
Bell Aliant closed its New Glasgow customer contact centre on Feb. 12, 2010. The centre employed 47 workers, 38 accepted severance and 9 took transfers to other areas. The New Glasgow location still has regional service technicians and engineering employees. Pictou Advocate, February 13, 2010
Tire manufacturer Michelin has hired 40 workers, so far in 2010 - production, maintenance/technical and salaried workers, such as, engineers. They plan on hiring about 100 more, as demand recovers from last year's economic downturn and older workers continue to retire. Chronicle Herald, February 10, 2010
Keltic Petrochemicals, who proposed to construct and operate a petrochemical plant in Goldboro, is closing its Halifax office. They were unable to secure a supplier of LNG and financing has dried up due to the poor economy. Construction of the multi-million dollar project was expected to create thousands of jobs in Guysborough County and hundreds of permanent jobs once in operation. Guysborough Journal, February 24, 2010
The Nova Scotia Co-operative Council has partnered with the province to train workers for job openings at 402 co-operatives in N.S. Training will be offered to income assistance recipients with a goal of employing 100 people. Starting pay will range from $10.50 to $15.50/hour; jobs may include teller, administration, driver or general labourer, etc. Chronicle Herald, February 25, 2010
The Mi’kmaq Seven Generations Society is a $3.5-million training-to-employment program which been operating since the fall, but was only publicly announced recently. The Society will help train and find jobs for 240 Mi'kmaq people from three First Nation communities (Millbrook, Indian Brook and Pictou Landing) The federal government has contributed $1 million towards the project through the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership. The remaining $2.5 million is being funded by Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Workforce Development, Native Council of Nova Scotia, Mi’kmaq Friendship Center and the three bands. Various sources.
Maritime Steel and Foundries, New Glasgow will receive $500,000 towards R&D from ACOA to create new products and customers. Total project cost is estimated at $681,257 and will be done over a 12-month period. Pictou Advocate, February 10, 2010
MacLeod Group Health Services is moving ahead with construction plans for two nursing homes in Pictou and Trenton starting in May 2010 to be completed by September 2011. They will replace the existing 89-bed Shiretown Nursing Home; there will no increase in bed capacity. MacLeod Group will soon be issuing tenders. Pictou Advocate, February 17, 2010
Millbrook First Nations and Pacrim Hospitality Services Inc. jointly announced a new 30,000-square foot indoor water park and a 100-room hotel as a year-round attraction. The $30 million project is expected to take 18 months to complete. Millbrook and Pacrim are also partnering on a new 150-seat restaurant/retail facility for the former Bear and Bull restaurant. Work on the restaurant project will begin next month and open in June. Truro Daily News, Feb 19, 2010
The Cumberland YMCA in Amherst will receive $208,000 in funding to upgrade the 21-year-old community centre. There also is $133,000 in funding to build a skateboard park adjacent to the Amherst Stadium Complex. Amherst Daily News, Feb 26, 2010
For more information please contact . . .
Barry J. Soper Economist 99 Wyse Road, P.O. Box 1350 Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 4B9 (902) 426-5590 E-mail: barry.soper@servicecanada.gc.ca |
Web site: www.labourmarketinformation.ca
Kendall Mills Labour Market Information Analyst 26 Prince Arthur Street Amherst, Nova Scotia B4H 1V6 (902) 661-6606 E-mail: ken.mills@servicecanada.gc.ca |
Diane Tibbo Labour Market Information Analyst 340 East River Road New Glasgow, Nova Scotia B2H 3P7 (902) 755-7817 E-mail: diane.tibbo@servicecanada.gc.ca |