Behind the Numbers: April 2026 – Labour Market Trends

Behind the Numbers is a monthly series from the Durham Workforce Authority that breaks down the latest labour market data and what it means for Durham Region.  This blog is informed by the April 2026 Employment by Industry Report and Labour Force Survey Report, which can be found here. 

In April 2026, Durham Region’s labour market continued to demonstrate resilience, with employment growth supported by strong gains in health care, manufacturing, and transportation. At the same time, shifts in workforce participation and uneven performance across sectors highlight the increasingly complex nature of the local labour market. This snapshot combines insights from the latest Labour Force Survey and Employment by Industry data to explore what is changing—and what it means for employers, jobseekers, and workforce planning across the region.

Key Highlights

  • Employment increased to 255,500, up 1,800 from the previous month and 12,800 year-over-year.
  • Unemployment Rate dropped by 0.3 percentage points over the previous month to 6.7%, a 0.8 percentage point drop year-over-year
  • Health Care & Social Assistance added 10,800 jobs compared to April 2025.
  • Manufacturing employment increased by 6,000 year-over-year.
  • Transportation & Warehousing grew by 2,500 jobs year-over-year.
  • Accommodation & Food Services declined by 3,900 jobs year-over-year.
  • Professional, Scientific & Technical Services declined by 4,100 jobs year-over-year.

What’s Happening in the Labour Market

April’s labour market data points to continued employment growth across the Oshawa CMA, with total employment reaching its highest level to date in 2026. Growth was driven by several key industries, particularly those tied to population growth, service delivery, manufacturing activity, and goods movement.

While overall employment increased, the benefits of that growth were not evenly distributed across the economy. Several service-oriented industries experienced declines, reflecting changing business conditions and evolving consumer demand patterns.

The result is a labour market that continues to expand overall, while becoming increasingly differentiated across sectors.

This suggests that Durham’s labour market is growing, but growth is becoming more concentrated in industries tied to essential services, infrastructure, and economic fundamentals.

A Closer Look at What’s Driving Change

Industry-level trends help explain the broader labour market story unfolding across Durham Region.

Health Care & Social Assistance remains the largest employment sector in the Oshawa CMA and continues to grow significantly. As Durham Region’s population expands, demand for health and social services continues to rise, creating ongoing opportunities across a wide range of occupations.

Manufacturing also recorded strong gains, adding 6,000 jobs compared to the same month last year. Combined with growth in Transportation & Warehousing, these increases suggest continued strength in industrial activity, logistics, and supply chain operations.

At the same time, several sectors moved in the opposite direction. Accommodation & Food Services and Professional, Scientific & Technical Services experienced the largest year-over-year declines. While these sectors remain important contributors to the local economy, the data suggests that hiring activity has softened relative to last year.

These shifts reinforce an important labour market reality: growth in one sector does not automatically offset losses in another. Differences in skills, experience, and credential requirements can create challenges for workers seeking to transition between industries.

The labour market is not experiencing a broad slowdown; rather, it is undergoing a reallocation of employment toward sectors where demand remains strongest.

Looking Beyond the Month-to-Month Changes

While monthly changes provide useful signals, longer-term trends offer a clearer picture of labour market conditions.

Employment in the Oshawa CMA has generally trended upward over the past year, with April marking another month of year-over-year growth. The employment-by-industry trend data shows that gains have been concentrated in sectors tied to population growth, infrastructure, and essential services. In contrast, some discretionary and professional service sectors have experienced greater volatility.

This pattern reflects broader economic and demographic changes occurring across Durham Region. Population growth continues to drive demand for housing, health care, education, transportation, and community services. As a result, many of the sectors supporting these needs continue to expand.

In this context, sector-level volatility should be viewed as evidence of a labour market adapting to changing economic conditions rather than a sign of overall weakness.

What This Means for Employers and Jobseekers

For employers:

Employers in high-growth sectors such as health care, manufacturing, transportation, and construction are likely to continue facing recruitment challenges. Competition for workers may remain strong, particularly for occupations requiring specialized skills or certifications. Workforce development, retention strategies, and partnerships with training providers will remain important tools for addressing talent shortages.

For jobseekers:

Opportunities remain strongest in sectors experiencing sustained growth, particularly those connected to essential services and goods-producing industries. Individuals seeking employment in sectors experiencing slower growth may face increased competition and could benefit from exploring transferable skills and reskilling opportunities.

The current labour market is increasingly defined not by whether opportunities exist, but by where those opportunities are emerging.

Looking Ahead

Durham Region’s labour market continues to be shaped by population growth, industry demand, and changing workforce needs. As employers respond to evolving economic conditions, employment growth is expected to remain concentrated in sectors that support the region’s long-term development.

Monitoring both labour force indicators and industry-level employment trends will remain critical to understanding where opportunities are growing and where workforce challenges may emerge.

Aligning workforce planning, skills development, and economic development strategies with these trends will be essential to supporting a resilient and inclusive labour market.

The Durham Workforce Authority will continue to track and share these insights to support informed decision-making across the region.