Local online job postings on the rise, report indicates

Online job postings in Sault Ste. Marie have seen significant increases since February, according to the latest report from Algoma Workforce Investment Corporation (AWIC). 

Numbers from Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey for April 2021 show consistent demand for healthcare, essential retail and delivery-related occupations, with more job postings related to seasonal and summer work popping up locally. 

The AWIC notes that job postings for occupations related to teaching were among the top job postings last month, as tutoring platforms and school boards outside of the region look for resources in order to teach and support online learning.

Here are the top 10 job postings for April, as listed by AWIC: 

• personal support workers
• teachers
• registered practical nurses
• delivery drivers
• general labourers
• sales associates
• support workers
• assistant store managers
• cashiers 

Overall employment numbers in Sault Ste. Marie dropped to 37,400 jobs in January from a high of 41,500 in November 2020. The average level of employment over the past 20 years is 36,700. 

Employment in the goods-producing sector fell to 7,900 jobs, which AWIC says is still higher than pre-COVID levels and higher than overall employment numbers in 2019.

Meanwhile, employment in the services-producing sector has reached pre-COVID levels, increasing to 29,500 from a low of 25,300 in June of last year.  

Local employment rate still lower than national, provincial rates 

Sault Ste. Marie’s employment rate in April 2021 was 55.9 per cent, compared to the national employment rate of 59.6 per cent and the provincial rate of 58.6 per cent. 

Participation rate falling steadily 

Sault Ste. Marie’s participation rate has fallen steadily since October, meaning that fewer people are working or actively looking for work.

Unemployment rate increases due to COVID-19 restrictions 

Sault Ste. Marie’s unemployment rate was 6.7 per cent in April representing a 1.6 per cent increase from February (5.1 per cent), but still lower than both the national unemployment rate (8.1 per cent) and provincial unemployment rate (9.0 per cent).

In its report, AWIC attributes climbing unemployment rates to the latest round of COVID-19 restrictions across the country. 

Sault Ste. Marie’s Labour Force Survey results are based on a three-month rolling average, or an average of the previous three months.