Shortage of seasonal jobs
According to the latest ScotiaBank report, students have found it increasingly difficult to find a summer job. The tourism and retail sectors, traditionally large student employers, were hit hardest by the recession, which forced consumers to cut back on discretionary spending. Today, student unemployment stands at 15.9%, well above the rate of 11% in 2008. The problem is a major one, since students are now more dependent on jobs to pay for their studies and tuition has gone up nearly 7% since 1990. Over this same period, the value of student loans has almost tripled.
Average salaries still rising
The average salary of full-time non-farm employees increased 0.5% between April and May 2011, for a year-over-year increase of 3.3%. Newfoundland and Labrador and Alberta had the highest increase, with Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia seeing little variation. Wholesaling (5.5%) and manufacturing (4.5%) had the highest salary increases, while accommodation and food services had the slowest growth. Statistics Canada explains the growth in compensation by compositional changes and employee expertise. The average number of hours worked per week was unchanged at 32.9.
Looming labour shortage in British Columbia?
The government of British Columbia projects it will have a million job openings by 2020. A third of the jobs available will result from economic growth, and the rest from retirements and the aging workforce. Health care will have the largest percentage increase in demand, with the largest number of job openings in sales and service, business and equipment operators. The government thinks that immigration is the solution, and hopes to fill a third of job openings with newcomers.
Telecommuters happier than office workers
The freedom to do what you want when you want is priceless, according to a survey by Staples Advantage of 140 telecommuters: 40% of employees would be willing to earn less in order to enjoy the benefits of telecommuting (e.g. sleeping an hour more, looking after the kids). Telecommuters feel happier, healthier and more productive than their office colleagues. The findings are similar to a U.S. study by Routledge last year that found that while social interaction can be a plus, office rivalries are often stressful and reduce employee productivity.
Immigration: Record number of immigrants under provincial nominee programs in 2011
Provinces and territories are on track this year to welcome a record number of immigrants selected under their own nominee programs. Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, said Canada plans to admit about 40,000 immigrants in the provincial nominee category in 2011, five times more than in 2005. The previous high was 36,428 provincial nominees in 2010. Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan are welcoming the most immigrants through their nominee programs.