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Do It In Durham Entrepreneurship Week 2020
Leave a CommentNow in its 8th year, ‘Do It In Durham’ hosted by the Business Advisory Centre of Durham, (BACD) is Durham Region’s opportunity to learn about, explore, and support entrepreneurship. The Durham Workforce Authority (DWA) is proud to be a long-time sponsor of this important annual event. This week-long series of seminars, workshops and other events to support the inspiration of small to medium-sized business in the region.
Business growth in the region is one of the things that the DWA tracks and our data unequivocally shows that small business dominates in Durham. This graphic illustrates the number of businesses with employees in white and the number without employees in black. It paints an important picture of the role small and medium-size businesses play in our region.
One of the many great things about Do it in Durham is the wide range of events types and topics that they touch on. This includes opportunities to participate in business training, networking, seminars, webinars and workshops for all local business owners and those aspiring to become business owners.
The importance of networking cannot be understated but it’s important to remember networking isn’t just about connecting people. It’s about connecting entrepreneurs with people, with ideas, and with opportunities. Do it in Durham teaches our business owners how to network and then presents them with opportunities to put that education to the test.
Another critical area for small businesses is intellectual property(IP). IP strategy is crucial for a company for achieving its business objectives. The BACD offers important training on different types of IP rights including trademarks, copyrights, new media, trade secrets and patents and how they can be used to create an IP strategy and build an IP portfolio. They also explore the importance of creating content that is continually fresh, that is engaging, and that is designed to keep readers interested so that Durham businesses remain top of mind.
Our mission is to champion the development and maintenance of a sustainable and dynamic workforce. Events like Do it in Durham are a major contributor to the diversity and strength of our workforce and we are proud to support them.
We encourage all business owners and those aspiring to ownership to check out our website. The DWA offers labour market information that can support business be successful in our region through a strong understanding of the labour market, the major sectors and other data points. Please be sure to visit our Jobs First Durham data site with 897 data points or feel free to contact us directly.
September 2020 Durham Labour Force Survey Report
Leave a CommentThe Durham Workforce Authority is releasing the September 2020 edition of the Durham Labour Force Report. This report provides accurate, timely, and easy to understand labour market information for the stakeholders of Durham Region. It is updated monthly with information that enables businesses, policymakers and our community at large to better understand the evolving impact that the COVID-19 pandemic is having on the labour force in Durham Region.
The September 2020 report presents some encouraging numbers, including;
- a decrease of 300 individuals not participating in the labour force,
- an increase of 700 individuals in the total labour force,
- an increase of 4,600 employed residents.
The Labour Force Report is informed by data from Statistics Canada on the Oshawa CMA, which includes Clarington, Whitby, and Oshawa.
View the September 2020 report here; https://durhamworkforceauthority.ca/labour-force-report/
Behind the Numbers – Skilled Trades Deficits in Durham Region
Leave a CommentLabour Shortages
Labour shortages refer to a lack of candidates for a specific job in a specific labour market. In other words, a labour shortage is the excess of labour demand in relation to the supply of labour, in a given place and occupation. As defined, an “in-demand” trade is very similar to a trade facing a labour shortage but there are some subtle differences depending on the approach used. If the definition of “in-demand” trades is based on the employer survey question asking which trades are the “hardest to fill”, it is likely that labour market conditions (i.e., overall supply and demand) impact an individual employer’s hiring experiences. However, an individual employer’s answers might depart from broader underlying conditions. For example, some employers may have positions that they consider hard to fill but they are offering inadequate wages or benefits. In this example, their hiring difficulties may not reflect a shortage of labour.
Durham Region has seen a significant increase in the number of residents with a certificate, diploma or degree. While this is not a unique phenomenon given socio-economic changes and the nature of work, it does demonstrate the talent pool available to employers in Durham Region. Since 2001 the number of individuals without a certificate, diploma or degree has nearly decreased by half. As Table 5 depicts, nearly all levels of educational attainment are increasing, with the exception of those with an apprenticeship or trades certificate of diploma. This is a notable concern when considering the skilled trades shortages being expressed by employers, and skilled trades organizations.
Table 5 Educational Attainment by Percentage in Durham Region, 2001 – 2016
Source: Statistics Canada. Census. 2016.
Similar to the Ontario Construction Secretariat, BuildForce does a considerable amount of work identifying in-demand skilled trades by region in Ontario. When looking at the Greater Toronto Area, including Durham Region, it is projected that labour market conditions will remain tight over the near term in order to meet major project requirements, including nuclear refurbishment. Low levels of unemployment and aging demographics maintain recruitment challenges over the next ten years, even during periods of slower growth. Table 14 provides an overview of the non-residential construction trades BuildForce deems as in demand until 2023. This data is closely related to the qualitative data collected through various reports conducted by the Durham Workforce Authority, as well as other reports written with knowledge of the skilled trades, including the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum. BuildForce uses a five point scale where the numeric values represent the following:
- Workers meeting employer qualifications are available in local markets to meet an increase demand at the current offered rate of compensation and other current working conditions. Excess supply is apparent and there is litter risk of losing workers to other markets
- Workers meeting employer qualifications are available in local markets to meet an increase in demand at the current rate of compensation and other working conditions.
- The availability of workers meeting employer qualifications in the local market may be limited by large projects, plant shutdowns and other short-term increases in demand. Employers may need to compete to attract needed workers. Established patterns of recruitment and mobility are sufficient to meet demand.
- Workers meeting employer qualifications are generally not available in local markets to meet any increase. Employers will need to compete to attract additional workers. Recruiting and mobility may extend beyond traditional sources and practices.
- Needed workers meeting employer qualifications are not available in local markets to meet current demand so that projects or production may be delayed or deferred. There is excess demand, competition is intense and recruiting reaches remote markets.
Table 14 provides and overview of some of the most in-demand trades and occupations in the Greater Toronto Area, including Durham Region, from 2019 – 2021.
Table 14 BuildForce, Non-Residential Labour Market Rankings 2019 – 2023
Source: BuildForce, Greater Toronto Area: 2019 – 2028 Construction and Maintenance Looking Forward
Table 14 displays a projected labour shortage across the board for almost all non-residential construction trades. This is a concern that will continue to be addressed through various labour market initiatives, and Durham Workforce Authority aims to be part of the solution.
Life After COVID – Your Road to Recovery
Leave a CommentLife After COVID is a new reference and referral website created by the DWA. It provides a comprehensive directory of resources available to the Durham community and will serve as an important hub of information for those seeking to build skills and re-enter the workforce.
The widespread impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has had major implications for the labour force in Durham Region, and around the world. It has displaced thousands of workers and left businesses struggling. The Durham Workforce Authority created Life After COVID to help affected people find the resources they need to successfully re-enter the labour force.
Highlights of the resources provided by the Life After COVID website include links to;
- Job searching, resume help, and skills upgrading for job seekers
- Business support organizations, government assistance, and PPE suppliers for employers
- Local industry information specific to Durham Region
Life After COVID will host information on the community support organizations that can help with job search, resume creation and workshops. Links are also provided to the adult upgrading providers and local post-secondary institutions, along with a searchable list of occupation profiles with custom local labour market information.
As Durham Region’s economy reopens, many people will require support to help them rebound from the economic impacts of COVID-19. Life After COVID will connect people and businesses to existing resources which will enable a smoother road to recovery for the workforce in Durham Region.
Visit the Life After COVID website here: https://www.lifeaftercovid.net
Jobs First Durham Job Tools – Tying it all Together
Leave a CommentOver the past few weeks. the DWA has outlined the various Job Tools offered by Jobs First Durham to make searching for work easier for job seekers. Jobs First Durham can help you find a career path, find a job on that path, and find the services and locations you need to make that job work for your life. The best part of Jobs First Durham is how these tools work together in tandem to provide the best job searching experience available specific to Durham Region.
Career Explorer
The best place to start when using Jobs First Durham is the Career Explorer. When choosing your career path, it is important to know what jobs are actually in demand in the Region so you can ensure strong employment prospects in your field. After choosing a career, you will be able to see paths in and out of it and any associated job listings in Durham. This leads you to the Jobs Board.
Jobs Board
The Jobs Board shows you all of the specifics about the jobs you have discovered through the Career Explorer, including wages and minimum qualifications. You can then sort through other listings in the field and decide which job opportunity works best for you. It is always helpful to apply to as many jobs as you can to ensure you have the highest chance of finding employment.
Jobs Map
After you have decided on some jobs, the Jobs Map is a great place to plan your employment routine. Here you will find the location of the job postings alongside childcare centres, bus routes, and other services you may need to help you get back to work. The Jobs map helps to visualize the process, making it easier to plan out your employment journey.
Check out all of the Job Tools by visiting Jobs First Durham!
Student Spotlight – Connor
Leave a CommentMy time as a summer student with the DWA has been a great opportunity to further develop my research skills with a community centered focus. Though the work is done at home, the weekly team meetings with staff and peers bring all the necessities of the workplace right to my computer. The research I’m primarily tasked with is based around specific labour markets within Durham Region, reviewing and detailing critical information in order to aid the DWA in its mission to community success.
These challenging times bring a unique set of obstacles for each labour market as their recovery is paramount to the success of the Region. Gaining past and real-time knowledge of these developing markets is at the core of my work as I can contribute to finding solutions by engaging community partners and employers.
Though many of the projects I am tasked with completing are independent, the work environment is equally as collaborative. In addition to weekly meetings with permanent staff, my colleagues and I run our own team meetings in which we can discuss ongoing projects and individual success.
The work we are doing regarding labour market information is very rewarding and gives a sense of meaning to each ongoing project. Whether it is a new aspect of research or a continuation of our existing skills, it is always done collectively and with great purpose.
Student Spotlight – Brendan
Leave a CommentI started working for the Durham Workforce Authority as a student in the summer of 2020. Having recently graduated from university with an undergraduate in Political Science, I was thrilled to work with a team researching and developing tools for the development of the workforce in Durham Region – particularly in this interesting time of the COVID-19 pandemic. I’ve always been interested in policy at all levels of government, and this job has given me a glimpse into the large-scale practical impact that government policy and decision-making has on the local community and economy.
For safety reasons, this summer, the DWA employees have all had to work from home. This has been a new and interesting experience that has shown me both the benefits and downfalls of a work-from-home environment. While this makes it difficult to maintain a community between colleagues, regular Zoom calls and staff meetings help alleviate that feeling of alienation that is unfortunately “part-and-parcel” of the global pandemic.
However, there are many upsides to a work from home environment, which includes the loss of commute, saved money and time, my home kitchen, and the comfort of being in my own environment. While the business world struggles to develop continuity plans and weigh the benefits and downfalls, it will be interesting to see the forthcoming impact on the workforce, particularly in a commuter area such as the Durham Region.
Working for the DWA has also allowed me to explore government policy from a local lens, and the innovative ways local entrepreneurs are taking to adapt to this new business environment. Seeing first-hand how the DWA has developed tools for the local economy, to me, really demonstrates their commitment to the Durham Region community, to employers, businesses, and the general workforce. I can say with certainty that it has been both a challenging and rewarding experience thus far.
Student Spotlight – Katrina
Leave a CommentThe day in the life of a DWA summer research assistant consists of starting your day with a very big cup of coffee and sitting down at my work from home space. Twice a week for around an hour, we have a 10am Zoom meeting with the Executive Director, Director of Research, and the other two research assistants that were hired. During my 8 week contract at the DWA, my responsibilities consisted of analysis and evidence-based research to inform decision-making, completion of literature reviews and environmental scans on priority sectors in Durham Region, to compile and analyze data pertaining to the priority sectors in Durham Region, identify challenges and opportunities in the planning process, network building and outreach to employers, program, and agencies, consultation of meetings, focus groups, surveys, and other means in a variety of formats to engage with community stakeholders.
Working Monday to Friday 8:30 am until 4:00 pm is new to me. This is the first job in which my schedule is consistent and not a part-time job with scattered shifts – and it is amazing. Due to COVID-19, the student summer research assistant position is stationed at home. Unfortunately, my home workspace is not completely renovated yet. but due to my school courses for the next year fully online my workspace is being updated to promote a motivational and productive workspace.
My first day at DWA was honestly intimidating, I had my first Zoom meeting with everyone, and I had a lot of nerves. I did not know what to expect; however, the people I have met and work with are great. They are understanding, fun, knowledgeable, and my superiors are dedicated to teaching and making sure my co-workers and I understand are tasks.
My first task was difficult because I could not understand how to start the literature review. I have done literature reviews before but I was stressed and felt intimidated and therefore I had writer’s block. After talking to my peers over a Zoom meeting, I was able to bounce ideas around and begin writing.
I am halfway through my contract and I am continuously researching my assigned three sectors; healthcare, film and agriculture. My research consists of keeping an eye on the media and literature updated daily on the impacts of COVID-19 and the workforce in my three sectors. With the new information I continue to update the literature reviews, the sector overview narratives and the contact lists. I am amazed by this job because I get to learn about where I live – Durham Region. I am excited to learn more about my sectors, especially the healthcare sector because that is my chosen field of study.
Labour Force Report – An Overview
Leave a CommentThe Durham Workforce Authority (DWA) will release a custom extraction of the Statistics Canada monthly Labour Force Report for Durham Region. The report will use data from Statistics Canada on the Oshawa Census Metropolitan Area (CMA), which is an area with one or more neighbouring municipalities situated around a major urban core, with a population of at least 100,000.
Statistics Canada only releases this data for the country, provinces and Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs). Durham Region is divided into two CMAs, the Oshawa CMA including Oshawa, Whitby and Clarington, and the Toronto CMA which encompasses Ajax, Pickering and Uxbridge; Brock and Scugog are too small in terms of population to be surveyed on a monthly basis. In addition to including Ajax, Pickering and Uxbridge, the Toronto CMA also includes: Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Vaughn, Richmond Hill, Oakville, Milton, Newmarket, Caledon, Halton Hills, Aurora, Georgina, Whitchurch-Stouffville, New Tecumseth, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Orangeville, East Gwillimbury, King, Mono and the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation.
As such, the DWA uses the Oshawa CMA data as a proxy for what is happening in Durham Region, since Ajax, Pickering and Uxbridge are more similar to Oshawa, Whitby and Clarington than they are to the multitude of geographies included in the Toronto CMA.
The Labour Force Report aims to provide the most up-to-date statistics on:
- Employment
- Unemployment
- Labour force participation
- Population
- Includes analysis of year-over-year and month-over-month trends
You can view the most recent Labour Force Report here.
Job Search Report – An Overview
Leave a CommentThe Durham Workforce Authority (DWA) will release a monthly Job Search Report for Durham Region. The report is created using data collected from the job finding tools on the DWA website. All data is collected with consent and with the knowledge that it will be kept anonymous and posted publicly.
The Job Search Report tries to answer two simple questions: who is searching for work, and what are they searching for in Durham Region? Here you will find a breakdown of job searches by different demographics such as age, sex, skill type, skill level, and more. This information paired with the Job Demand Report will provide strong insight into disparities between what jobs are available and what jobs are being sought, allowing for a better understanding of how to adapt training programs and economic development to fill labour gaps in the Region.
You can view the most recent Job Search Report here.