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Sep 13

Employment Report – August 2016

employment-en_august

Following a decline in July, employment edged up in August (+26,000 or +0.1%). The unemployment rate rose 0.1 percentage points to 7.0%, as more people participated in the labour market.

Compared with 12 months earlier, employment increased by 77,000 (+0.4%), with all of the gains in part-time work. Over the same period, the total number of hours worked fell slightly (-0.4%).

unemployment-en_august

Employment up for youths and people 55 and older

 In August, employment increased among youths aged 15 to 24 and people aged 55 and older. At the same time, employment was down among those aged 25 to 54.

Employment rose in Quebec and in Newfoundland and Labrador, while it declined in New Brunswick. There was little change in the other provinces.

There were more people working in public administration and fewer people working in professional, scientific and technical services.

Public sector employment increased in August, while self-employment fell and the number of private sector employees was little changed.

Provincial summary

In Quebec, employment rose by 22,000 in August, and the unemployment rate was little changed at 7.1%, as more people participated in the labour market. Compared with 12 months earlier, employment in the province was up 34,000 (+0.8%).

In Newfoundland and Labrador, employment increased by 4,000 in August, and the unemployment rate edged down to 12.3%. Despite the increase in August, there was little employment change on a year-over-year basis.

Employment in New Brunswick declined by 3,000 in August, and the unemployment rate was 9.4%. Compared with 12 months earlier, employment in New Brunswick was essentially unchanged.

Employment in Ontario was little changed on both a monthly and year-over-year basis. However, in August, the unemployment rate increased 0.3 percentage points to 6.7%, as more people searched for work.

In British Columbia, employment was virtually unchanged in August. The unemployment rate was also little changed at 5.5% and remained the lowest among the provinces. On a year-over-year basis, employment in British Columbia increased by 73,000 or 3.1%, the highest growth rate among the provinces.

Industry perspective

In August, employment in public administration increased by 16,000. Despite an overall increase, there were employment declines among survey interviewers and statistical clerks, an occupational group that corresponds with activities related to the 2016 Census. Compared with 12 months earlier, employment in public administration was virtually unchanged.

Employment declined by 23,000 in professional, scientific and technical services. Employment in this industry was little changed on a year-over-year basis.

Public sector employment increased by 57,000 in August, offsetting declines observed in July. Compared with 12 months earlier, public sector employment was virtually unchanged. The public sector includes all employees in public administration, most employees in utilities, and some employees in education, health care and social assistance, transportation and warehousing, and other industries.

Self-employment fell by 39,000 in August and was little changed on a year-over-year basis.

The number of employees in the private sector was little changed compared with the previous month, while it increased by 97,000 (+0.8%) compared with 12 months earlier.

Summer employment for students

From May to August, the Labour Force Survey collects labour market data about youths aged 15 to 24 who attended school full time in March, and who intend to return full time in the fall. Published data are not seasonally adjusted; therefore, comparisons can only be made on a year-over-year basis.

For students aged 15 to 24, the average employment rate for the summer (that is, from May to August) was 48.8%, similar to the rate of 49.1% observed in 2015.

The average employment rate for students aged 20 to 24 was 64.9% in the summer of 2016 (compared with 66.0% in 2015); for students 17 to 19 it was 55.1% (compared with 54.5%); and for those aged 15 and 16 it was 24.7% (compared with 25.2%).

The average unemployment rate over the summer for students aged 20 to 24 was 10.2%, virtually unchanged from the rate of 10.1% observed for 2015. At the same time, the unemployment rate was 15.3% for those aged 17 to 19 (compared with 17.3% in 2015), and 28.1% for those aged 15 and 16 (compared with 29.7%).

Canada–United States comparison

Adjusted to the concepts used in the United States, the unemployment rate in Canada was 5.9% in August compared with 4.9% in the United States. On a year-over-year basis, the unemployment rate was essentially unchanged in Canada, while it declined slightly in the United States (-0.2 percentage points).

The labour force participation rate in Canada (adjusted to US concepts) was 65.4% in August, compared with 62.8% in the United States. The participation rate in Canada declined 0.4 percentage points over the past 12 months, while it increased slightly in the United States (+0.2 percentage points).

In August, the US-adjusted employment rate in Canada stood at 61.5% compared with 59.7% in the United States. On a year-over-year basis, the employment rate declined by 0.4 percentage points in Canada while it increased by 0.3 percentage points in the United States.

Source: Statistics Canada

Sep 9

shutterstock_374588935

The Permanence of Temporary Labour: Learn the Benefits & Advantages

Temporary workers. Contractors. Freelancers. Associates. No matter what they’re referred to, contract workers are a large and important part of many businesses, industries and Canada’s workforce as a whole.

Let’s take a moment to consider the benefits and importance of temporary labour to Canadian families, businesses and the economy.

Temporary labour:

  • Helps industries meet production quotas and seasonal ramps. Many industries (including Agriculture, Hospitality, Logistics, Manufacturing, IT and the Broader Public Sector) rely on a mix of permanent and contract workers to meet seasonal peaks and ramp ups based on client or market demand, as well as to hire for project-based assignments. Without temporary workers, entire industries and businesses wouldn’t be able to meet these demands. High volume hiring during peak periods creates jobs for over 2 million Canadians and lets businesses grow and compete—further creating employment opportunities when businesses are able to expand.
  • Provides flexibility all around. Not only do businesses require flexibility in scheduling to accommodate periodically extended hours, shift-work, off-hour projects, fluctuating production plans and changing demands, but workers increasingly prefer flexibility in work schedules as well. Study after study has found that younger workers favour flexible work hours, but employers are learning that employees of all ages prefer more flexible schedules too! Parents need the flexibility to schedule their work around PA days, school vacations, doctor’s visits and extracurricular activities. Freelancers love the option of working periodically in between personal or side projects. Many employees are also pursuing continuing education and training, and need the flexibility to accommodate class times, work and school assignment deadlines. And Gen X’ers know far too well the demands that come with being the sandwich generation; taking care of children and aging parents while working a typical 9-5 has many feeling strained. Employees of all generations want flexible work hours with the ability to ramp up and down as their needs change, achieve work-life balance and choose their own schedules. And businesses need the flexibility to meet their varying scheduling and seasonal requirements. Contract hiring fulfills both of their needs.
  • Exposes employees to varied workplaces and industries. When looking at a stack of resumes (or results from a keyword crawler), Hiring Managers focus on 3 sections: the applicant’s experience, technical know-how, and their “soft skills”. Working for different employers, across varied industries and holding several job titles is a fantastic way to strengthen all 3! Accepting contract roles gives employees a first-hand feel for diverse businesses and roles—all the while growing their experience and skills, and reducing “employment gaps” on their resumes. Taking on a contract assignment also lets first-time or transitioning workers “try on” different positions and responsibilities before deciding which fit their needs best. This can be especially beneficial for individuals with unique and sought-after skills who want to try out multiple employers before committing to one that will give them exactly what they’re looking for. It also allows workers an opportunity to get in with a particular employer who may not be hiring on a permanent basis at the time. When that employer does have an opening for a permanent position, the contractors who have already proven their skills and know their operations are often thought of first to fill the role. In fact, over 1,200 of Adecco’s temporary Associates were hired on a permanent basis by our clients last year alone. Temporary employment lets job-seekers prove their skills and gives employers an opportunity to evaluate the best candidates before hiring the most suitable for longer term assignments.
  • Offers employees skills training, experience, mentorship, and benefits. When the temporary labour that businesses need is supplied by a staffing firm, the benefits to both clients and temporary staff are magnified. Temporary staff receive expert guidance from professional Recruitment Consultants on their resumes, cover letters, interview tips, personal branding and presentation skills. They act as the human link between clients and candidates in a sea of online applications. Once candidates are on or between assignments, they get access to not only on-the-job training but also online training seminars and software tutorials they can complete on their own time and upgrade any skills they want—all at no cost to them! Adecco offers 400 of such training modules online to our Associates, ranging from technical software courses and customer service skills, to Health & Safety legislation and procedures. Our Associates can continue to work while they complete courses that strengthen their skill sets and resumes. In addition to the complimentary benefits mentioned above, our Associates can also participate in our robust Group Benefits Plan (once they’ve completed the required number of hours), which entitles them to extended health, dental, drug and insurance benefits. The benefits of working with a staffing firm extend beyond the job experience and skills development temporary workers receive.  Hiring managers can focus on business while the firm takes care of employer responsibilities, oversight, payroll and guidance of their temporary workforce.
  • Presents employment opportunities to vulnerable populations. Contract and temporary employment gives new Canadians an opportunity to land respectable work opportunities, gain work experience and start providing for their families quickly. It gives motivated parents re-entering the workplace after parental leave or life changes an opportunity to start earning a salary once again and edge into longer-term positions. It lets seniors find part-time work, graduates land their first jobs and students get supplementary work while they’re in school. Temporary employment positively impacts every generation, demographic, and facet of Canadian life.
  • Gives Millennials what they’re looking for. Millennials make up over 37% of the Canadian labour force, and they’re increasingly more open to jumping between projects, companies, and industries for experience and variety. They’re also much more likely to pursue “side-hustles” and passion projects—such as graphic design, baking, yoga instruction or writing. Temporary positions fit in nicely with their varied schedules, changing priorities, love of travel and a strong desire for work that fits in with their lives. And when young job seekers or recent grads are challenged in finding a permanent job in a timely manner, working on a temporary or contract basis fills in the gap of not working at all.

With all the benefits that temporary labour provides to business and the economy, employees and their families, it’s no wonder that it’s the preferred career path for millions of Canadians. A large contingency of temporary or part-time workers in Canada voluntarily choose part-time work due to all the reasons discussed above, including a preference for added flexibility or seasonal work, better scheduling around classes for students, and greater work-life balance. In fact, a CareerBuilder/Inavero survey (presented at the 2016 ACSESS Conference) found that 76% of temporary employees work temporarily by choice! Canada’s businesses and industries need temporary labour, and Canada’s workforce loves its advantages. We hope that’s a permanent match.

 

Sep 6

Summer interns

Going Back to School with Work Experience: Lessons from a Summer Intern

Summer is drawing to a close which means cooler temperatures, earlier sunsets, and ‘back to school’ for students. And our very own summer intern—Oliver Dubois du Bellay—is among them. As part of Adecco’s Way to Work program (which gives deserving young students and graduates a paid opportunity to intern at Adecco or with our clients), Oliver landed the opportunity and was a tremendous help to our Marketing and HR departments, even gaining his own hashtag: #OliverTheIntern.  After an exciting and informative three months at Adecco Canada’s HQ in Toronto, Oliver is taking what he’s learned back to McGill University in Montreal, where he is studying International Development, East Asian Language & Literature and Anthropology. But before he does, we asked him to share his experience with our Lead Blog readers.

Tell us a little about yourself, what you’re studying and how you came to Adecco for your internship. How can other young business-minded leaders land similar opportunities?

Hi, everyone! I went to school at the Lycee Francais in Sydney, Chicago and Toronto and am currently attending McGill. I hope to complete an MBA from ISEAD and become an International Business consultant.Oliver the Intern

Networking is my number one piece of advice for other young students and professionals. I actually learned about this internship through my mother, and while it was important to me and her to make my own destiny, it made sense to embrace her recommendation. As many of you know, the hardest part of getting hired is simply getting a callback, and that’s why it helps to turn to your contacts and ask around for opportunities. You never know what they may find or who they know; it may be a perfect match for your goals! And remember to return the favour when your connections come to you for help or networking support.

What do you think made you successful in the application process?

The advice I gave myself when applying for summer internships was not to be shy with applications. I sent in a huge amount of résumés and applications to various jobs until I found the right one.

I would also advise adapting your resume and cover letters to each position to show that you’re determined. If you do get lucky enough to get an interview, you must research the company. Knowing the company is the best way to show your interviewer that you are interested and engaged.

You also must be able to explain everything on your resume and know it inside and out. Know your strengths and weaknesses thoroughly and adapt them to the role in question. I would also recommend having a few anecdotes about past experience that you think could help you secure the position—stories about your leadership skills, your attention to detail and how you have overcome challenges/setbacks. These are usually the most important to showcase.

For any application process, you just have to be yourself and try your best to seem confident. Confidence is most definitely key in that sort of situation.

What projects have you been able to contribute to throughout your Adecco internship?

The project I participated in the most was the 2016 Win4Youth Solidarity Day event. I helped to organize the Canada-wide event in which Adecco staff accumulated kilometers for a group donation to foundations that support underprivileged children and their families around the world.

Another interesting aspect of my position was when I helped to market and recruit temporary staff for an exciting show that was coming to Toronto. It taught me the ins and outs of the process and I got to come up with creative strategies to reach the talent out there.

What sort of training have you received while you’ve been at Adecco?

As mentioned, when I was asked to help with recruiting I learned a lot about the process, including confidentiality protocols and how barrier-free screening is performed. A lot goes into the preliminary rounds of finding and assessing candidates. This was especially interesting for me as I will be re-entering the workforce permanently after I finish my degree and this has given me an inside view on what people look for during interviews, how to wow the interviewer and what successful candidates do to stand out.

What would you say you learned most in your Marketing role? How about in your HR role?

In my Marketing role, I played a part in the social media management of the various accounts representing Adecco Canada. That taught me a great deal about how a major multinational organization expresses itself on social media and how respectful, considerate interactions are essential when communicating with clients, candidates and the public—in any forum.

In my HR role, I learned about the back-end of the company and how employees felt about their work and day-to-day experiences. I made surveys and analyzed the results relating to training and development, which was incredibly interesting. It gave me a look into the bigger picture of what the HR department does for a company that has multiple offices and branches across the country.

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve received this summer?

It would have to do with the formatting of my resume as well as the general attitude to take when in an interview. Again, I have to stress the benefits that came from having the opportunity of completing a summer internship at the world’s largest staffing firm. I have learned what interviewers look for in candidates and how important the formatting and content of your resume really is.

Has anything inspired you while you’ve been here?

The most inspiring aspect to me is when you place someone in a job that you know is the perfect fit for them. That’s what Adecco is all about; creating a database of individuals with various qualifications and aspirations and pairing them with clients in a way that makes work fun yet productive for both sides.

What is something you learned about this industry that you didn’t anticipate coming in?

I’ve learned that there are many jobs on the market that people aren’t necessarily aware of. I know that people my age (“Millennials” if you will) are under the impression that there is a lack of employment opportunities because of what we are constantly told. This position has shown me that there is a lot of demand but also a lot of supply; you just have to know where to look and know how to sell yourself in an application and interview.

Did anything surprise you about working at a global corporation?

Oliver the intern celebrating birthday with Adecco coworkersWhat was surprising about working in Adecco Canada’s Head Office was that it didn’t feel like a global corporation, in the best of ways. Everyone was so warm and friendly, and even with the thousands of people placed by the company, everyone is treated like family and the colleagues do their absolute best to place people in the most fitting jobs.

What has this experience taught you about leadership, management and teamwork?

This experience has taught me that when organizing an event for a nation-wide company, it is imperative that you prepare for every scenario and make sure everything is well planned and clearly explained. The most important thing about being a leader is to put yourself into other people’s shoes to understand how they would perceive instructions; that makes everything and everyone more successful.

What has been the single best/most valuable experience you’ve had while here?

The Win4Youth Solidarity Day was incredible. All the planning leading up to it really made it an exceptional day and it was all for a great cause. It provided me with great hands-on experience with event planning in such a large organization.

What’s next for you after this?

After the summer, I am going back to school to finish my degree. Once I’m done, I’m looking forward to getting more work experience to build my resume. When I feel confident enough with what I have accomplished, I will hopefully go back to school for my MBA. Of course, this is all subject to change as I experience more and truly understand what it is I want to do.

Has this experience helped solidify what you what you want to do in the future? How will this opportunity help with that?

This internship has been very useful for me. Although my current goal of becoming an International Business Consultant does differ from the internship, it has given me a new perspective on marketing. I have realized that I can use my social studies background to my advantage when targeting a specific audience. Marketing may even be the path I take in the future! What is great about internships is that they give you an opportunity to try it out, which I believe is the most important thing—especially when you’re young.

Would you recommend an internship experience to other students/graduates?

I would absolutely recommend an internship experience to anyone who is considering it. It is a great way to really understand the position you are interested in and it gives you valuable work experience. Plus, if you do a good job, you may even be asked to take on a permanent position within the company.

We wish Oliver the best of luck in the coming school year! Adecco thanks him and all the interns out there for their hard work over the summer. We know it will pay off when it’s time to enter the workforce full-time, and we look forward to seeing all you will achieve. Oliver can be found on LinkedIn.

Aug 10

Employment Report – July 2016

Employment Rate - July 2016

After three months of little change, employment declined by 31,000 (-0.2%) in July. The unemployment rate increased 0.1 percentage point to 6.9%.

Full-time employment fell by 71,000 from June to July, while part-time work was up by 40,000.

Compared with 12 months earlier, total employment increased by 71,000 or 0.4%, with all of the growth in part-time work. Over the same period, the total number of hours worked rose by 0.4%.

In July, employment decreased among youths aged 15 to 24, while it was little changed for the other demographic groups.

Employment declined in Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador, and increased in British Columbia and New Brunswick.

Fewer people were employed in public administration in July, while employment in health care and social assistance increased.

The number of public sector employees fell in July, and there was little change in the number of private sector employees and self-employed workers.

Read more

Jul 22

Win4Youth 2016 | Solidarity Day: 1 day, a Lifetime of Change

By now, our loyal readers know all about Adecco’s Global Win4Youth Initiative— currently in its 7th year. Adecco employees, Associates and clients run, swim and cycle throughout the year to contribute to each country’s mileage goal. If they meet it, Adecco Group gives a sizeable donation to various foundations supporting disadvantaged communities and youth development around the world.

In Canada, our 2016 goal is to reach a whopping 60,000kms and this past Tuesday— July 19th—every single one of Adecco’s 40+ branches and offices across the country helped us get there by taking part in our annual Solidarity Day.

The day started off with speeches and words of encouragement from our President and Country Manager—Sandra Hokansson, and our 2016 Canadian Win4Youth Ambassador—Tracy Rocca. The speeches were delivered out of our Toronto HQ but were broadcast live through Periscope for all to hear. These inspirational words were followed by a heartfelt rendition of the official Win4Youth song. Being the land of Celine Dion and Neil Young, we had to show off our singing (and swaying) chops: “One soul, one vibe, one team, one goal!”

W4Y_baby_strolled2

 

After lunch, our 400+ Adecco Colleagues from coast to coast departed from their respective offices to take either a 1.5km, 5km or 10km scenic route through their city streets, towns or neighborhoods. Colleagues walked, jogged, sprinted, rode, ran, biked or “strolled” in unison with their fellow co-workers from across the country—all to benefit this year’s chosen youth foundations.

The W4Y branded t-shirts, water bottles, canteens and temporary tattoos we donned also helped bring awareness to the initiative as the teams snaked around the chosen routes. Pictures from across the country piled in on social media through the #W4Y hashtag of Adecco Colleagues painting their towns red for the cause.

canada-map-w4y-2016

From 1.5km power walks to 10k races among friends, each employee brought Canada closer to reaching its 2016 National Goal. Solidarity Day had a tremendous impact on our rankings. The day alone added 2,165kms to Canada’s tally and 30 new Colleagues signed up to track their mileage!

Our 2016 goal is to reach 60,000kms by the end of the year. We’re right on track by being half way there at 37,438kms and counting!

 

Win4Yout Goal Tracker

 

Thank you to everyone for making Solidarity Day such a success.

For more on Adecco’s Win4Youth Initiative, visit: http://www.win4youth.com

Jul 12

Employment Report – June 2016

Employment was unchanged in June (0.0%). The unemployment rate declined 0.1 percentage points to 6.8%, as the number of people searching for work edged down.

In the second quarter of 2016, employment was little changed (+11,000 or +0.1%). This was the smallest quarterly change in employment in two years.

In the 12 months to June, the number of people employed rose by 108,000 (+0.6%), with most of the gains in part time (+77,000 or +2.3%). Over the same period, the total number of hours worked fell slightly (-0.1%).

In June, employment fell among men aged 55 and older, while it increased for youths aged 15 to 24 and changed little for the other demographic groups.

British Columbia was the only province with employment growth. The other provinces showed little change.

Fewer people worked in construction, manufacturing, and the “other services” industry. On the other hand, employment increased in accommodation and food services as well as information, culture and recreation.

The number of employees fell in the public sector and was little changed in the private sector. At the same time, self-employment increased.

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