July 2024
In July 2024, the Hamilton CMA saw a 0.2% increase in their population to a total of 700,400 Hamiltonians. Despite the increase in population, the regions labour force saw a contraction of 0.5% in July. Most of the contraction was seen for the unemployed population, which declined by 1.5% in July. Employment for July also decreased by 0.4%. Changes in employment from specific age groups, such as students back into school and summer contracts ending can fluctuate participation in the labour force. Subsequently, Hamilton’s participation rate declined by 0.5% to 65.6%.
Unemployment
July 2024, the unemployment rate for the Hamilton CMA experienced a minor decline to 7.2%. Unemployment was still relatively high in July, with the Hamilton CMA ranked 12th as the highest unemployment rate among the CMAs and Provinces. Compared provincially (6.8%) and nationally (6.3%), the Hamilton CMA had a generally high unemployment rate. In July, males had a relatively higher unemployment rate of 8.7% (+0.3%) compared to females (6.6%; +0.3%). Both male and female groups saw their unemployment rate go up proportionally. By age groups, youths (15-24) saw their unemployment rate go up by 1.5% to 18.5%, and the working age individuals (25-54) by 0.4% to 5.8% Older workers, saw their unemployment rate decline by 1.3% to 5.9%.
Vacancies and Wages
Despite a decline seen in Q2 2023, the average offered hourly wage by employers in the Hamilton-Niagara Peninsula increased by $1.90. Consequently, the decline seen in the offered wages was coincided by an increase in the number of job vacancies, which grew by 2.1K, and the vacancy rate by 0.1% to 4.4%. With consecutive increases in the average offered hourly wages through Q3 2023 to Q1 2024, the job vacancy rate has declined.
Industries
Looking at industry changes from June to July 2024, the Hamilton CMA saw a consecutive increase in employment for the Information, Culture and Recreation, with a percent increase of 10%. Following was Agriculture (6%), and Construction (4%). The top declining industries for July included Transportation and Warehousing, which saw employment contract by 9% – added on to the 9.25% decline seen last month. Other industries included Utilities, which was June’s top declining industry, and lost 7% of employment. Accommodation and Food Services was also a top declining industry, with employment declining by 6%.
Occupations
From Workforce Planning Hamilton’s Job Board, the top in-demand job for July 2024 were Registered Nurses with over 400 job postings. Following were jobs adjacent to the retail/services industry. These jobs included Retail Salespersons (319), Cooks (259); Store Shelf Stockers, Order-fillers and Clerks (216); as well as Food Service Jobs (204).
Employment Ontario Data
With the release of the latest Employment Ontario data, the Hamilton region saw an overall increase in the number of participants. Namely, large gains were seen for the number of clients in the Canada Ontario Job Grant program. Some trends…
- Gaps in the Skilled Trades continue to persist as enrollment into Apprenticeships declined by 17%, while active apprentices increased by 2%.
- Both clients and employers increased in the Canada Ontario Job Grant program.
- Uptake in integrated Employment Services increased by 19%.
- A 13% increase was seen for Literacy and Basic Skills Learners (new and carried-over).
- Better Jobs Ontario clients increased by 16%.
Information on Hamilton’s labour market and jobs through our Labour Market Snapshot Series 2024.