Labour Market Monitor - Northern Nova Scotia
October 2010
This is an overview of the Northern Region which includes Cumberland, Colchester, Pictou, Antigonish and Guysborough Counties. The Labour Market Monitor is a monthly report providing information on labour market developments for specific regions within the province.
Labour Force Trends
The labour market in Northern Nova Scotia decreased on a year-over-year basis, with the labour force falling by 2,400 on a year over year basis, and employment dropping by 1,000. The employment decrease was split evenly between full and part time jobs. With the labour force decreasing faster than employment, the level of unemployment fell by 1,400 in the region. The unemployment rate declined by 1.5 percentage points from 10.5 percent in October 2009 to 9 percent in October 2010.
For more information, please visit the Statistics Canada website at: www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/lfss05b-eng.htm
| Northern NS | October | |
|---|---|---|
| Region: 220 | 2009 | 2010 |
| Labour Force (000) | 82.1 | 79.7 |
| Employed (000) | 73.5 | 72.5 |
| Full Time | 61.0 | 60.6 |
| Part Time | 12.5 | 11.9 |
| Unemployed (000) | 8.6 | 7.2 |
| Participation Rate (%) | 62.5 | 60.7 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 10.5 | 9.0 |
| Data is 3 month moving average from the Labour Force Survey, Statistics Canada | ||
Labour Market News by Industry
Administrative & Support Services
After five years in business, TeleTech Holdings Inc. is closing its Amherst call centre in mid-December, 2010. Some 215 staff, of which 75 per cent are full-time employees, will be losing their jobs. Some workers may be eligible for employment at other TeleTech call centres, but the company does not provide relocation allowances. TeleTech's call centre in Bayers Lake Business Park, Halifax are unaffected by the shutdown in Amherst. The reason stated for the closure is due to changing business needs in Canada and was not due to the loss of any particular contract. Various Sources, October 27, 2010
Education Services
The Nova Scotia Community College received $150,000 from the Nova Scotia government to start a training program for workers hired to build windmill blades at Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering, Trenton. It is expected to be available mid 2011. The News, October 21, 2010
St. Francis Xavier University will be offering a PhD in Educational Studies in collaboration with Acadia and Mount Saint Vincent Universities. It is the first doctoral degree offering for all three schools. The program will admit 14 students annually for 14-months of full-time residency starting in July 2011. Guysborough Journal, October 20, 2010
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate & Leasing
Fifty-one unionized workers at Bergengren Credit Unions - Antigonish, St. Andrews and New Glasgow - accepted a new contract. The Canadian Auto Workers Union negotiated a fifty-five cent per hour raise for 2010 and 50 cents per hour in the following three years. There is also a $500 signing bonus for full-time workers and $250 for part-time staff. The News, October 23, 2010
Health Care & Social Services
Unionized workers at 36 long-term care homes across Nova Scotia have reached a tentative agreement with their employers including 400 employees at the Glen Haven Manor, Valley View Villa and the Maritime Oddfellows Home. In September, membership voted strongly in favour of strike action; the main issue being maintaining wage parity with acute care workers. The News, October 1, 2010
Manufacturing
Aecon Fabco began refurbishment of its first vessel, a Navy tug, at its recently completed marine railway in Pictou, an eight-week contract with SNC Lavalin. Aecon Fabco has also added two supply vessels to its workload, with a ferry on the way. They have several bids in on ship repair jobs and hope to have work throughout the winter at the Pictou yard. They are 80 percent finished of the deconstruction of two navy destroyers and continue their module fabrication work. They are expecting to do some hiring in the near future. Pictou Advocate, October 20, 2010
Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) and Nova Scotia Power (NSP) have agreed to build and use made-in Nova Scotia wind towers and blades across the province. A letter of intent gives DSME Trenton the chance to supply towers and blades for up to 100 megawatts of capacity over the next four years. NSP will also encourage independent power producers to use these components. Use of DSME products is subject to competitive pricing and quality. Chronicle Herald, October 20, 2010
Other Services
The Atlantic Provinces Chambers of Commerce joined forces with the Chambers from Manitoba, British Columbia and Saskatchewan to launch www.thirdquarter.ca. It is a new pilot program aimed at tackling skilled labour shortages by persuading those nearing retirement to stay in the labour force and companies to consider these workers as eligible employees. The online job posting and resource site will connect employers with people over 50. Amherst, Nova Scotia and Summerside, P.E.I. are the first in this region to try the program. Workers will receive support and advice on job opportunities. Employers will be helped in assessing the workforce and deciding how experienced workers can increase productivity. Telegraph Journal - October 26, 2010
Public Administration
The Cape Breton and Central Nova Scotia Railway was granted a $3.5 million, 18-month extension to operate its short line railway from Sydney to Truro. CBNS employs about 50 workers and has an office located in Stellarton, Nova Scotia. The News, October 29, 2010
Trade, Wholesale & Retail
Proudfoot's Home Hardware, Pictou County is planning to combine two retail outlets into one. The local hardware retailer is looking for a building site where a new larger store would replace its New Glasgow and Stellarton locations. Proudfoot's Pictou store will not be affected. Pictou Advocate, October 6, 2010
Note: In preparing this document, Service Canada has taken care to provide clients with labour market information from reliable sources that is timely and accurate at the time of publication. Since labour market conditions are dynamic, some of the information presented here may have changed since this document was published. Users are encouraged to also refer to other sources for additional information on the local economy and labour market. Information contained in this document does not necessarily reflect official policies of Service Canada.For more information please contact your local Labour Market Information Analyst
for Cumberland / Colchester: ken.mills@servicecanada.gc.ca
for Pictou, Antigonish, Guysborough : diane.tibbo@servicecanada.gc.ca
or visit our website at: www.labourmarketinformation.ca