Labour Market Update - Annapolis Valley

Employment crept up a bit during October but the job gains were all part-time positions net of full-time losses.  The number of unemployed increased slightly because of a labour force increase in excess of the employment gain.  The unemployment rate followed suit with a marginal increase.

•It has been a different year for the Valley labour market. Overall labour market performance has been flat so far this year with job levels staying within a narrow band between 56,000 and 58,000 workers.  Last year by August, employment ranged between 53,000 and almost 63,000; with record high employment levels half way through the year.

•October’s employment gains were provided by the Goods Sector.  There were no really substantial increases but the largest employment increments occurred in the Construction industry group.  In the Service Sector, Health and Education added to employment but losses in Trade, Transportation & Warehousing, Other Services, Accommodation & Food, Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing and Business, Building and Other Support Services brought the sector’s overall employment level down from September. 

•Goods Sector employment is greater than it was last October but Service Sector employment is down from that time by a substantial amount, particularly in Trade and Accommodation & Food Services.