Why Peterborough's Job Rate is Ramping Up

There’s no mistaking that 2020 and 2021 have taken a toll on Canada’s economy and the job market. A global pandemic has caused a ton of upswings and downswings, with jobs being lost and created at breakneck speeds. Many are even learning tips to cope with sudden unemployment. With so many uncertainties floating around, what can be done here anyway right? Well, in Peterborough, Ontario, things are actually picking up quite well. In fact, you may even say that this city is going through a renaissance of its own.

While some jobs have become increasingly difficult to fill as a result of local health mandates and restrictions, the demand for others has skyrocketed. Filling customer service roles in critical places such as grocery stores and pharmacies has become crucial, as widespread closures and shipping constraints have placed increased demand for essential goods and services.

Some regions of Canada have been hit harder than others when it comes to fluctuations in employment. Peterborough, ON, has recently gotten some positive press on an influx of job openings – which is terrific news, especially in the midst of a pandemic when so many communities are suffering! Getting installments loans like never before.

But while Peterborough has a long list of job openings to fill, they’ve also struggled with high rates of unemployment. It’s a bit of a contradiction, which raises the questions: Why is Peterborough’s job rate ramping up? Why are there such high rates of unemployment despite so many jobs being available?

If you live in Peterborough, you’re probably getting a lot of mixed signals about what the job market is like. Suppose you already have a lot of debt to pay, you might want to learn how best to handle debt. Nevertheless, let’s dive into the details of the employment and unemployment rates in Peterborough to get a better sense of what is happening. Hopefully, this will give you a much clearer view about getting hired, and learning about the current market as well.

Why is the unemployment rate so high?

At this point, we’re all incredibly used to headlines about layoffs, furloughs, and transitions to fewer hours and lower pay. Even with an increase in job openings, Peterborough is no exception to the types of employment struggles that the rest of Canada continues to experience. Things are getting better here but this beautiful city did get hit by the same issues as the rest of us. No 'ifs' and 'buts' about it.

The most obvious example is Peterborough’s high rate of unemployment. In December, the jobless rate in Peterborough officially hit 8.4 percent, marking the highest unemployment rate in all of Canada. Compared to the national average in Canada of 6.0 percent, this is significantly higher than what other regions are experiencing.

So why is there such a high unemployment rate when there are hundreds of job postings? Well, one explanation is that there is a disconnect between the type of jobs that are available and the skills of the available labour force.

Rhonda Keenan, who is the President and CEO of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED), explains it as such:

“It’s a lack of skill we have in this region, especially in employment with engineers and CNC machinists, those are skills that are required. We don’t have that skill being taught in the two post-secondary institutions we have here, so we have to look outside the area to say ‘hey graduates, this is a great place to live and work.’”

What kinds of jobs are available in Peterborough?

In the midst of layoffs and furloughs, Peterborough has recently emerged as a city where job availability seems to be flourishing. In November, local officials reported more than 300 job openings. As government restrictions lifted and people started feeling more comfortable coming out of quarantine, consumer demand increased significantly.

Some of those jobs could have been a carryover from recent summer employment initiatives. The Canada Summer Jobs program invested $2.5 million dollars to create more than 700 jobs in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Although many of those were assumed to be seasonal, this is the first time that this program allowed for part-time work to be extended after the summer.

Many of these jobs are in manufacturing, warehouse, distribution, and logistics. For example, job seekers in Peterborough could look to the airport for recent openings. As travel restrictions loosened and people started getting on flights again, there has been a surge in demand for aviation support staff, like engineers, painters, and technicians.

There are also tons of opportunities in hospitality and customer service, with many companies offering great sign-on benefits, like cash bonuses or better benefits. Healthcare workers, cleaning, drivers, and general contractors are all in high demand throughout the area, too. This might be a good time to find jobs and improve your credit score rating by managing your finances better as opposed to running on debt.

Going back to the workplace after Covid-19

Whether you’re getting ready to return to the workplace after a period of unemployment, taking some time to learn a new skill set, or exploring a brand-new industry altogether, it’s totally normal to feel anxious about going back to work! That’s true during any time, but especially so while the world continues to fight back against a pandemic.

What can you expect from returning to the workplace after Covid-19? Peterborough job applicants should keep the following in mind:

• Workplaces should make sanitation and health checks a top priority to ensure that employees are safe. This could include:
  • Hand sanitizing station
  • Plexiglass barriers
  • Frequent cleaning of surfaces
  • Regular Covid-19 testing
  • Vaccination requirements
• Smaller meeting sizes can help decrease the chances of Covid-19 infection.
• Remote work might continue for some positions, in either a full-time remote capacity or in the ability to work from home a few days a week.

As you get ready to send out job applications in Peterborough, keep these things in mind to ensure that your employer is taking the proper steps to keep everyone safe and healthy. Not only will you be taking care of your own personal health and well-being, but you’ll also be ensuring that you are working with a company that truly cares about its employees!

Is your resume ready to go? You’re in luck; there are hundreds of jobs available. Take a look online to start looking through your options.

Also remember, what is supposed to come your way will come your way anyways. Nevertheless, you have to work to ensure you position yourself appropriately. So stay positive, have fun and things will work out just fine.