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Q2 2026 Labour Market Insights: What Employers Were Hiring For in Durham Region
Leave a CommentEmployer demand continued to strengthen across Durham Region during the second quarter of 2026, with businesses expanding recruitment across a wide range of industries and occupations. The latest Labour Market Insights Report uses data from Jobs First Durham to provide a real-time picture of where hiring demand was strongest and the skills employers were seeking.
More than 14,700 active job postings and nearly 4,000 hiring employers were recorded during the quarter, representing substantial increases over the previous three months. At the same time, average posting durations declined, indicating employers were moving through recruitment more efficiently as hiring activity accelerated.
Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers remained the region’s most frequently advertised occupation, followed by food counter attendants, home support workers and caregivers, retail managers, and cooks. These occupations reflect the continued importance of retail, hospitality, health care support, and customer service to Durham Region’s economy.
The report also highlights the skills employers value most. Communication, management, driving, customer service, and leadership were the most frequently requested workplace competencies, demonstrating that transferable skills continue to be important across industries. Many positions emphasized practical experience and employability skills over formal educational credentials, creating accessible entry points for many jobseekers while specialized occupations continued to require advanced education or technical training.
Looking at longer-term trends, utilities, construction, and retail trade experienced some of the strongest hiring growth over the previous year. Meanwhile, demand remained strong across education, employment services, community care, and hospitality as employers continued recruiting to meet ongoing workforce needs.
For employers, educators, employment service providers, and workforce planners, these insights provide valuable information about where hiring demand is growing and the skills needed to support Durham Region’s evolving economy.
Q2 2026 Labour Market Insights: What Durham Region Jobseekers Were Searching For
Leave a CommentUnderstanding employer demand is only one part of the labour market equation. Equally important is understanding how jobseekers are engaging with available opportunities. The Durham Workforce Authority’s Jobs First Durham platform provides valuable insight into how local residents search for employment and which opportunities attract the greatest interest.
During the second quarter of 2026, jobseeker engagement remained strong despite significant growth in employer hiring activity. More than 46,000 interactions were recorded across the platform, while job board activity continued to account for the majority of engagement. Although job post clicks declined slightly compared with the previous quarter, overall activity remained consistently high, suggesting jobseekers continued to actively explore employment opportunities throughout Durham Region.
Jobseeker interest continued to focus on occupations requiring relatively few barriers to entry. Many of the most frequently viewed opportunities were found in retail, food service, logistics, administrative support, and caregiving occupations. These positions often require secondary school education or occupation-specific training and provide accessible pathways into the workforce for a broad range of jobseekers.
One encouraging finding from the report is the strong alignment between employer demand and jobseeker behaviour. Many of the occupations attracting the greatest interest were also among the region’s most frequently advertised positions. This suggests that jobseekers are actively pursuing opportunities where employers are hiring, supporting more efficient labour market matching across Durham Region.
As hiring activity continues to strengthen, monitoring how jobseekers engage with employment opportunities will remain an important part of workforce planning. Understanding search behaviour helps identify emerging skills gaps, informs employment services, and ensures workforce development initiatives remain aligned with the needs of both employers and workers.
Q2 2026 Labour Market Insights: Durham Region’s Labour Market Gains Momentum
Leave a CommentThe second quarter of 2026 marked a noticeable shift in Durham Region’s labour market. Following relatively stable conditions at the beginning of the year, employer hiring activity strengthened across nearly every key labour market indicator, suggesting businesses entered the summer with growing confidence and an increasing need for workers.
Compared with the first quarter, active job postings increased by more than 20 percent, while new job postings and the number of employers recruiting also rose significantly. At the same time, the average job posting remained online for fewer days than in the previous quarter, indicating employers were filling positions more quickly or moving through the recruitment process more efficiently. Together, these trends point to a labour market characterized by stronger hiring demand rather than simply an increase in advertised vacancies.
Hiring growth was broad-based across Durham Region. Full-time, part-time, permanent, contract, and temporary opportunities all increased during the quarter, demonstrating that employers expanded recruitment across a variety of employment arrangements rather than focusing on a single type of position. Permanent positions continued to account for the majority of opportunities, reinforcing the region’s strong foundation of long-term employment.
Although hiring strengthened, the industries driving demand remained familiar. Retail, education, health care, employment services, and hospitality continued to account for many of the region’s job postings, while construction, utilities, and retail trade showed particularly strong growth over the longer term. These trends reflect continued investment, population growth, and ongoing demand for frontline, technical, and skilled occupations across Durham Region.
The report also highlights that labour markets continue to evolve differently across industries. While several sectors experienced significant growth, others—including health care and social assistance, professional services, and administrative support—recorded fewer postings than one year earlier. These changes do not necessarily indicate declining employment but instead suggest recruitment patterns continue to normalize as employers adapt to changing workforce conditions.
Overall, the second quarter presents a positive picture of Durham Region’s labour market. Stronger employer participation, higher job posting volumes, and shorter recruitment timelines indicate that hiring activity accelerated heading into the summer while maintaining a diverse mix of employment opportunities across the region.
Behind the Numbers: June 2026 – Labour Market Trends
Leave a CommentBehind 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 June 2026 Employment by Industry Report and Labour Force Survey Report, which can be found here.
June 2026 marked another month of steady labour market growth across Durham Region. Employment reached a new high, the employment rate continued to climb, and participation in the labour force increased as more residents entered the workforce. While the unemployment rate remained unchanged from May, the combination of growing employment and a larger labour force reflects a regional economy that continues to expand alongside rapid population growth. This month’s data also highlights continued strength in several key industries that are helping drive Durham’s economy forward.
Key Highlights
- Employment increased to 261,200, up 3,700 from May and 21,200 compared to June 2025.
- The employment rate increased to 63.5%, up 0.7 percentage points from May and 3.5 percentage points higher than one year ago.
- The labour force grew by 3,900 people over the month to 285,400 residents.
- The unemployment rate remained steady at 8.5%, while the number of unemployed residents increased slightly by 200.
- Manufacturing added 5,300 jobs year-over-year, while Health Care & Social Assistance gained 4,700 jobs.
- Transportation & Warehousing increased by 3,700 jobs, with continued growth in Construction and Other Services.
What’s Happening in the Labour Market
June’s labour market continued the positive momentum seen throughout much of 2026. Employment rose by 3,700 positions during the month, reaching 261,200 employed residents—the highest level recorded in more than two years. The labour force also expanded by 3,900 people while population increased by another 1,000 residents, reflecting Durham Region’s continued growth.
Although the number of unemployed residents increased modestly by 200 people, the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 8.5%. This stability occurred because employment growth largely kept pace with the increase in labour force participation. As more people entered or re-entered the workforce, the regional economy continued creating enough employment opportunities to maintain the unemployment rate.
Perhaps the strongest indicator of June’s performance was the continued increase in the employment rate, which climbed to 63.5%. This means a larger share of Durham’s working-age population is employed than at any point over the past year, continuing a steady upward trend that began in mid-2025.
Taken together, these indicators point to a labour market that continues to grow while successfully absorbing an expanding workforce.
A Closer Look at What’s Driving Change
Industry-level employment data shows that growth continues to be concentrated in several key sectors that support Durham Region’s long-term economic development.
Manufacturing remained one of the region’s strongest-performing industries, adding 5,300 jobs compared to June 2025. Health Care & Social Assistance followed closely with an increase of 4,700 jobs, while Transportation & Warehousing added 3,700 positions. Construction continued its steady expansion with 2,200 additional jobs, and Other Services grew by 2,600 positions over the past year.
These industries continue to benefit from ongoing population growth, infrastructure investment, increased demand for health services, and expanding supply chain activity throughout the Greater Toronto Area.
Not every industry experienced growth. Professional, Scientific & Technical Services declined by 1,900 jobs compared to one year ago, while Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Rental & Leasing decreased by 1,600 positions. These sectors have shown some softness in recent months, suggesting that knowledge-based and financial industries continue to face a more challenging business environment than many goods-producing and essential service sectors.
The data continues to demonstrate that Durham’s strongest employment growth is occurring in industries tied to population growth, essential services, infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing.
Looking Beyond the Month-to-Month Changes
The broader trend remains one of sustained labour market expansion.
Compared to June 2025, employment has increased by 21,200 positions while the unemployment rate is 0.7 percentage points lower than one year ago. The employment rate has improved from 60.0% to 63.5%, and the participation rate has risen from 66.1% to 69.4%.
Durham’s population has also continued its rapid growth, reaching 411,300 residents in June—an increase of 11,300 people over the previous year and nearly 45,000 over the past two years. This sustained population growth continues to expand both the available labour force and demand for goods and services across the region.
One particularly encouraging trend is the decline in the number of residents who are not participating in the labour force. Compared to June 2025, there are 9,700 fewer people outside the labour force, suggesting that more residents are choosing to work or actively seek employment.
These long-term trends point to a labour market that continues to become larger, more active, and increasingly engaged.
What This Means for Employers and Jobseekers
For employers:
Continued employment growth in manufacturing, health care, transportation, construction, and other essential industries means competition for skilled workers is likely to remain strong. Employers may need to continue investing in recruitment, retention, training, and workforce development strategies to meet ongoing labour demands.
For jobseekers:
The data continues to show strong opportunities in sectors experiencing sustained employment growth, particularly manufacturing, health care, skilled trades, transportation, and logistics. At the same time, rising labour force participation means jobseekers should expect continued competition for available positions, making relevant skills, credentials, and work experience increasingly valuable.
As Durham’s economy continues to expand, aligning skills with sectors experiencing sustained growth will remain one of the most effective ways to improve employment outcomes.
Looking Ahead
June’s results reinforce a trend that has become increasingly evident throughout 2026: Durham Region continues to experience steady employment growth while successfully integrating a growing population into the workforce.
Population growth will continue to influence labour market conditions over the coming months, creating both opportunities and challenges for employers, educators, workforce organizations, and jobseekers alike. Continued investment in skills development, training pathways, and workforce planning will remain essential to ensuring that Durham’s labour market can meet the needs of both employers and residents.
Monitoring labour force participation alongside industry-specific employment trends will continue to provide valuable insight into where new opportunities are emerging and where workforce shortages may become more pronounced.
The Durham Workforce Authority will continue to monitor these trends and provide timely labour market insights to support informed workforce planning and economic development across Durham Region.
Building Durham’s Child Care Workforce: Career Opportunities, Training and Local Insights
Leave a CommentIf you like working with children, becoming a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) and an Early Childhood Educator Assistant (ECA) might be the career for you. RECEs and ECAs help care for and support the learning and development of children from infancy to age 12. They plan and lead activities that encourage children’s intellectual, physical, social, and emotional growth while ensuring their safety and well-being.
ECAs work under the guidance of educators to provide care and support. Assistants provide care for infants and preschool to school-age children under the guidance of early childhood educators. Assistants lead children in activities to stimulate and develop their intellectual, physical and emotional growth and ensure their security and well-being.
They are employed in child-care centres, daycare centres, kindergartens, agencies for exceptional children and other settings where early childhood education services are provided.
Early childhood educator assistants
- Support early childhood educators in carrying out programs that promote the physical, cognitive, emotional and social development of children
- Engage children in activities by telling stories, teaching songs and preparing crafts
- Prepare snacks and arrange rooms or furniture for lunch and rest periods
- Assist with proper eating, dressing and toilet habits
- Submit written observations on children to early childhood educators or supervisors
- Maintain daycare equipment and assist in housekeeping and cooking duties
- Attend staff meetings to discuss progress and problems of children
- May assist early childhood educators or supervisors in keeping records.
Local Training
The Durham Catholic District School Board Child Care Assistant Training Program is an 18-week program that provides students with an opportunity to learn about theories and stages of child development, child care legislation, child care programming, earn 6 credits toward the Ontario Secondary School Diploma and gain on-the-job experience.
There are two intakes for the program:
September 1
February 1
The cost of the program per client is $395. However, students accepted to the program for September 2026 will pay a reduced rate of $215, made possible through funding from the Region of Durham.
Opportunities for Child Care Assistants
The Durham Workforce Authority’s Jobs First Durham (JFD) shows that there are 95 active child care assistant posts on the site and 48 companies are hiring for these positions. Most of the postings (67) are for full-time jobs in the Durham Region. The postings are evenly distributed across Durham Region:
- 21 Whitby
- 16 Ajax
- 16 Pickering
- 15 Clarington
- 13 Oshawa
The average posted wage is $21.94 per hour, a 4 percent increase in wages and almost $2.00 above the median wage for the Region.
Resource Hub
The JFD Child Care Resource Hub provides a centralized job board for those interested in a career in the early education and child care sector in Durham Region and provides just-in-time local labour market information to child care centre operators. This enables both educators and operators to make data-informed decisions on the next steps for their career or their organization.
Our unique system pulls job postings from more than 50 different job boards. This means you can avoid visiting multiple websites and scrolling past duplicate job posts without ever missing an opportunity that might be right for you. Whether you are looking to start a career in child care or seeking to fill child care positions in your business, you will find resources designed to make accessing and using the JFD platform easy and efficient for you.
About the DWA:
The Durham Workforce Authority (DWA) is the leading source of Durham’s labour market intelligence and champions the development and maintenance of a sustainable workforce.
The DWA produces custom labour market information, an annual Labour Market Plan, and provides:
- Durham Region demographics change, migration trends in and out, educational attainment of residents, and changes in employers in the local area by employee size and 3-digit NAICs.
- Enhanced Jobs First Durham (JFD) data extracted from the DWA’s boutique job board with hyper-local information.
- An update on Employment Ontario data.
The DWA provides just-in-time custom labour market information and often conducts custom fee-for-service research. If you are interested in local data, please don’t hesitate to contact the DWA.
The Province of Ontario partially funds the DWA to supply Labour Market Information (LMI) to the Region of Durham.
Empowering Durham’s Workforce: A Deep Dive into Skills Advance Ontario (SAO)
Leave a CommentIn an ever-changing global market, the resilience of our local workforce is more important than ever. The Skills Advance Ontario (SAO) program, a strategic sector-based initiative in the Durham Region, supports displaced workers with training in nuclear and personal support worker (PSW) roles. Jointly funded by the Governments of Canada and Ontario through the Canada–Ontario Workforce Tariff Response, SAO is designed to reinforce sectors affected by trade disruptions and global market shifts.
A Focus on Durham’s Future: Energy and Healthcare
The Durham Workforce Authority (DWA) is leading a local partnership to provide specialized support for workers transitioning into two of our region’s most vital sectors:
- Energy Sector: Anchored by Durham’s 40-year history in nuclear energy, this sector is expanding into renewable energy, battery storage, and medical isotopes.
- Healthcare and Social Assistance: With a high demand for Personal Support Workers (PSWs), nurses, and nurse aides, the program offers pathways into nursing and residential care facilities.
While the program is open to a range of job seekers, it has a dedicated focus on supporting workers affected by recent economic disruptions, specifically displaced workers from the automotive manufacturing sector, including those previously employed by General Motors, Lear, and Android Industries.
This project succeeds through a collaborative network. The project has an Advisory Committee that includes training experts from Durham College and Ontario Tech University, assessment support from the Learning Network of Durham Region, and community services from the John Howard Society. This “whole-person” approach ensures that every participant is treated with dignity and provided with the specific tools they need to grow.
Recruitment and screening for training cohorts are happening now. Throughout the summer and into September, the program will be hosting outreach events and information sessions to connect interested workers with upcoming training opportunities.
The future of Durham’s energy and healthcare sectors is being built today, and there is a place in it for you. Click here for more information
Book Review: The Entrepreneur’s Money Blueprint
Leave a CommentBookkeeping isn’t Just Paperwork
Recently, the DWA bookkeeper, Mohamed Rizwan Bachani, released his important book, The Entrepreneur’s Money Blueprint. This book provides Canadian entrepreneurs with clear guides and rational road maps to setting up the financial side of a business. As a long-standing, award-winning accountant, Mohamed Rizwan Bachani knows what he is talking about. As president of Durham’s Unique Accounting Services, he has worked with Canadian businesses for 15 years. Mohamed is active in the Durham Region, having supported the Business Advisory Centre of Durham, served as a Director of the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade, and volunteered with CRA’s Community Volunteer Income Tax Program.
This new practical guide to building, managing and growing a profitable Canadian business reframes bookkeeping from a chore to a business dashboard. Key factors of the bookkeeping dashboard allow the entrepreneur to see how much money is going in and out, bills outstanding, high business costs and if the business can afford to expand.
Mohamed says in his book, ‘Most entrepreneurs aren’t bad with money. They are just reading the story too late.” The Entrepreneur’s Money Blueprint provides insights into reading and righting the story before it’s too late.
Unique Accounting Services is an accounting and bookkeeping firm in Oshawa, serving most of the Durham Region and parts of the GTA. Unique Accounting Services offers a wide range of services, from bookkeeping and personal tax filing to corporate finance,
To find out more about the book and the work of Unique Accounting Services, click here: https://uniqueaccountingservices.ca/
If you would like a copy of the book, the DWA is giving away one.
About the DWA:
The Durham Workforce Authority (DWA) is the leading source of Durham’s labour market intelligence and champions the development and maintenance of a sustainable workforce.
The DWA produces custom labour market information, an annual Labour Market Plan, and provides:
- Durham Region demographics change, migration trends in and out, educational attainment of residents, and changes in employers in the local area by employee size and 3-digit NAICS.
- Enhanced Jobs First Durham (JFD) data extracted from the DWA’s boutique job board with hyper-local information.
- An update on Employment Ontario data.
The DWA provides just-in-time custom labour market information and often conducts custom fee-for-service research. If you are interested in local data, please don’t hesitate to contact the DWA.
The Province of Ontario partially funds the DWA to supply Labour Market Information (LMI) to the Region of Durham.
Written by: Heather McMillan, Executive Director, Durham Workforce Authority
Heather’s expertise is developing strong local community labour markets and conducting industry research supported by innovative projects. Heather is a Toronto Sector Skills Academy Metcalf Fellow and was recently awarded her Certified Workforce Development Professional (CWDP) certification from the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals.
Behind the Numbers: May 2026 – Labour Market Trends
Leave a CommentBehind 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 May 2026 Employment by Industry Report and Labour Force Survey Report, which can be found here.
In May 2026, Durham Region’s labour market continued to expand, with employment reaching its highest level in more than two years. Population growth, rising labour force participation, and strong performance in several key industries helped drive overall employment gains. At the same time, higher unemployment and uneven sector performance highlight the increasingly complex dynamics shaping the local workforce. 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 257,500, up 2,000 from the previous month and 16,800 year-over-year.
- Unemployment Rate increased by 0.3 percentage points over the previous month to 8.5%, despite remaining 0.8 percentage points lower than May 2025.
- Health Care & Social Assistance added 6,900 jobs compared to May 2025.
- Manufacturing employment increased by 5,500 year-over-year.
- Construction and Transportation & Warehousing each grew by 2,500 jobs year-over-year.
- Accommodation & Food Services declined by 2,100 jobs year-over-year.
- Professional, Scientific & Technical Services declined by 3,700 jobs year-over-year.
What’s Happening in the Labour Market
May’s labour market data presents a picture of continued growth, but also growing complexity. Employment increased by 2,000 positions compared to April and was up 16,800 jobs compared to the same month last year, reaching 257,500 employed residents across the Oshawa CMA. At the same time, the labour force expanded by 3,200 people over the month, while unemployment increased by 1,300 individuals. This pushed the unemployment rate to 8.5%, up from 8.2% in April.
These seemingly contradictory trends illustrate an important labour market reality: employment and unemployment can rise simultaneously when more people enter the labour force than there are jobs created during a given period.
Population growth continues to be a major driver of labour market activity. The Oshawa CMA population reached 410,300 in May, up 11,300 people from one year ago. As more residents enter the region, labour force participation and job search activity continue to increase.
This suggests Durham’s labour market remains fundamentally strong, but growing labour supply is creating increased competition for available jobs.
A Closer Look at What’s Driving Change
Industry-level data reveals where employment growth is occurring and where challenges persist.
Health Care & Social Assistance remained one of Durham’s strongest-performing sectors, adding 6,900 jobs compared to May 2025. Manufacturing also continued its strong recovery, gaining 5,500 jobs year-over-year, while Construction and Transportation & Warehousing each added 2,500 jobs. These gains reflect continued demand for workers in sectors tied to population growth, infrastructure investment, housing development, and supply chain activity.
Construction growth is particularly notable given Durham Region’s rapid population expansion and ongoing housing needs. Similarly, growth in transportation and warehousing reflects the region’s strategic location within the Greater Toronto Area and continued demand for logistics and distribution services.
Not all sectors experienced growth, however. Professional, Scientific & Technical Services declined by 3,700 jobs compared to the previous year, while Accommodation & Food Services declined by 2,100 jobs. Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Rental & Leasing also experienced a year-over-year decline of 1,500 jobs.
These trends suggest that while essential and goods-producing industries continue to expand, some professional and consumer-oriented sectors remain more vulnerable to economic uncertainty and changing spending patterns.
The labour market is not growing evenly across all industries; instead, growth is increasingly concentrated in sectors that support Durham Region’s expanding population and economy.
Looking Beyond the Month-to-Month Changes
While monthly changes provide useful signals, longer-term trends offer a clearer picture of labour market conditions.
Looking beyond May’s results, the broader trend remains positive. Employment has increased by 16,800 positions over the past year, while the employment rate rose from 60.3% in May 2025 to 62.8% in May 2026. Participation has also increased from 66.5% to 68.6% over the same period. These improvements indicate that more residents are working and more are actively engaged in the labour market than one year ago.
At the same time, the labour force has expanded significantly. Durham Region’s growing population is bringing more workers into the labour market, which can place upward pressure on unemployment rates even during periods of employment growth.
The combination of rising employment, growing participation, and increasing labour force size points to a labour market that continues to attract and engage workers while adapting to rapid population growth.
In this context, modest increases in unemployment should not necessarily be interpreted as labour market weakness, but rather as evidence of a growing and evolving regional economy.
What This Means for Employers and Jobseekers
For employers:
Employers in health care, manufacturing, construction, transportation, and other growth sectors are likely to continue experiencing recruitment challenges. Demand for skilled workers remains strong, particularly in occupations requiring specialized training, certifications, or technical expertise. Partnerships with workforce development organizations, training providers, and employment services will continue to play an important role in meeting talent needs.
For jobseekers:
Employment opportunities remain strongest in sectors connected to infrastructure, health care, manufacturing, and logistics. However, rising labour force participation means jobseekers may face increased competition, particularly in industries experiencing slower growth or contraction. Individuals who focus on transferable skills, training opportunities, and in-demand occupations may be best positioned to take advantage of emerging opportunities.
The labour market continues to create jobs, but success increasingly depends on aligning skills and experience with where demand is growing.
Looking Ahead
Durham Region’s labour market continues to be shaped by population growth, economic development, and changing employer needs. As more residents enter the workforce, the region’s ability to connect workers with emerging opportunities will become increasingly important.
Continued growth in health care, manufacturing, construction, and transportation suggests that many of Durham’s strongest employment opportunities remain concentrated in sectors supporting long-term regional development. Monitoring both labour force indicators and industry-level trends will remain essential to understanding where opportunities are emerging and where workforce challenges may develop.
Aligning workforce planning, skills development, and economic growth strategies with these trends will help ensure Durham Region remains competitive, resilient, and inclusive.
The Durham Workforce Authority will continue to track and share these insights to support informed decision-making across the region.
Behind the Numbers: April 2026 – Labour Market Trends
Leave a CommentBehind 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.
Celebrating Diversity: Why Durham Businesses Should Support Drag Queen Storytime
Leave a CommentThis blog highlights the importance of inclusion, representation, and community engagement in building a strong and resilient local economy. It explores how initiatives such as Drag Queen Storytime contribute to welcoming communities, support literacy and cultural participation, and reflect the diversity of Durham Region.
The Durham Workforce Authority recognizes that inclusive communities and inclusive workplaces are closely connected. Creating environments where individuals feel welcomed, respected, and represented strengthens workforce participation, supports talent attraction and retention, and contributes to long-term economic and community wellbeing.
As conversations about diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility evolve in workplaces and communities, the Durham Workforce Authority remains committed to supporting evidence-based dialogue and to fostering a labour market where everyone has the opportunity to participate and succeed.
Celebrating Diversity: Why Durham Businesses Should Support Drag Queen Storytime
Every year, libraries across Durham Region host Drag Queen Storytime, an event that has become a powerful symbol of inclusivity, literacy, and community engagement. The impact of Drag Queen Storytime, which Durham CAS funds, has not gone unnoticed. In January 2024, Durham Region Public Libraries and Durham CAS were honoured with the Ontario Library Association’s Les Fowlie Intellectual Freedom Award and the Joyce Cunningham Award. These accolades recognize the courage and collaborative efforts in promoting intellectual freedom and celebrating diversity through the Drag Queen Storytime events.
While the initiative is primarily known for its impact on children and families, it also holds significant value for the business community. Embracing diversity and inclusion isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s also good for business.
A Stronger, More Inclusive Community Means a Thriving Economy
When local businesses support inclusive events like Drag Queen Storytime, they contribute to a welcoming environment that attracts skilled workers, diverse consumers, and new investment. Companies prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in today’s economy benefit from stronger brand loyalty and customer engagement. A more inclusive Durham Region isn’t just about social responsibility—it directly supports economic growth.
Supporting Local Organizations and Economic Growth
Events like Drag Queen Storytime bring families into libraries, where they also explore local businesses before and after the event. Restaurants, cafés, and retailers experience increased foot traffic, while local performers and event organizers gain economic opportunities. By supporting these events, businesses can strengthen their ties to the community and tap into a broader customer base.
Enhancing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
For businesses, aligning with initiatives that celebrate diversity can improve corporate reputation and employee satisfaction. Consumers today prefer brands that stand for inclusion, and employees are more engaged when they feel their workplace values align with broader community efforts. Supporting Drag Queen Storytime provides a visible, positive way to demonstrate corporate values in action.
How Businesses Can Get Involved
- Partnership Opportunities: Partner with local libraries or community organizations to help fund inclusive events.
- Hosting Community Events: Offer space for discussions or literacy-based programs that align with diversity initiatives.
- Promoting Inclusivity in the Workplace: Support employee participation and create an inclusive work culture that reflects the values of events like Drag Queen Storytime.
A Forward-Thinking Approach to Business Success
Drag Queen Storytime is more than just a reading event—it’s an opportunity for businesses to show their commitment to a diverse and inclusive Durham Region. By embracing initiatives that promote community engagement and inclusion, businesses contribute to a better society and position themselves as leaders in an evolving market.
As Durham Region continues to grow, fostering a culture of acceptance and belonging will be essential to our economic future. Supporting inclusive events is a smart business strategy that benefits employees, customers, and the entire community. Let’s celebrate diversity, drive economic growth, and build a stronger region—together.
2026 Drag Queen Story Time Events in Durham Region
Ajax Public Library – June 6 at 10:30 a.m.
Brock Public Libraries – May 30 at 10:00 a.m.
Clarington Public Library, Museums & Archives – June 20 at 3:30 p.m.
Oshawa Public Library – June 20 at 1:00 p.m.
Pickering Public Library – June 6 at 1:30 p.m.
Scugog Public Library – May 30 at 1:00 p.m.
Uxbridge Public Library – May 30 at 3:30 p.m.
Whitby Public Library – June 20 at 10:00 a.m.
Written by Eric Guernsey, Communication Coordinator at the Durham Workforce Authority. Eric is active in the public library sector, currently serving as Chair of the Oshawa Public Library Board, Vice President of the Ontario Library Boards’ Association and as a member of the Ontario Public Library Guidelines Monitoring and Accreditation Council.