Low jobless rate not good news for Sault Ste. Marie
Statistics Canada recently published November's figures for unemployment rates across the country. Sault Ste. Marie's rate is well below the national and provincial rate.
But that isn't a good thing.
Silvia Alves, executive director for the Algoma Workforce Investment Corporation, said the figure is not something positive for the area.
“Although the unemployment rate is low that does mean the availability of workers is limited,” Alves said.
“So as unemployment rate is lower there (are fewer) people available and looking for work.”
The rates for Canada and Ontario are 5.1 per cent and 5.5 per cent respectively. Unemployment across northeastern Ontario is at 4.4 per cent and the rate for the Sault is just 4.1 per cent.
Experts say this is indicative of a worker’s market, where businesses have few options when filling positions.
The Sault's Downtown Association is in the market for at least one new staff member. Executive director Salvatore Marchese said they're getting half the number of applicants they have previously.
"In the past you would have a large amount of applications come in relatively quickly, this time of year having to feed through and wait a little longer for those applicants to come in,” Marchese said.
N1 Solutions is another local company looking for new employees. Communications manager Jessica Tett said they are getting enough interest, but there's a lack of skilled applicants.
“We are actively getting multiple different applicants for each different role, but the biggest challenge we have is getting qualified applicants,” Tett said.
“Sometimes people will just apply to the job without looking at what is required.”
Retail and health care are the sectors in highest need of staff. Alves said a number of agencies are working to find solutions, like bringing in immigrants with the right skills for employers.
And working to improve the skills of locals.
“Developing and retaining our underrepresented groups such as youth, people with disabilities and continuing to support our indigenous communities in workforce development,” she said.
Alves added that the Sault's aging population will only make the problem more evident, and the shortages need to be addressed before the issue is greater.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.