According to Statistics Canada, the number of openings in Canada increased to 957,500 in the first quarter, the largest quarterly total ever.
In comparison to the first quarter of 2020, there are now more over 401,900 open posts, an increase of more than 72 percent. The number of openings in the first quarter of 2022 was over 3 percent more than the previous record high level recorded in the fourth quarter of 2021, or 24,900 more vacancies.
With 136,800 open positions, the health and social care industry set yet another record. Before the pandemic, there was a severe labor shortage in this industry, but COVID-19 further increased demand. The number of openings rose by over 91 percent (65,100 positions) in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2020.
Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration
A record number of jobs are available in the construction industry. Employers in the Canadian construction industry looked to fill 81,500 openings during the first quarter. From the fourth quarter of 2021, the construction sector saw a gain of more than 7% (5,400 jobs) from quarter to quarter.
The manufacturing and retail sectors continue to experience an increase in job openings. Manufacturing job openings peaked last quarter at 87,400, and retail businesses received 114,600 applications.
Professional, scientific, and technical services underwent minor adjustments. Employers in this industry recruited candidates for 68,800 positions, which is a little decrease from the record high set last quarter.
In the first quarter, there were roughly 133,800 openings in the hotel and restaurant industries. Despite the high number, it had actually decreased by about 12% from the prior quarter.
The national unemployment rate fell from 2.2 in the first quarter of 2020 to 1.3 in the first quarter. Preceding the pandemic this indicates that as job openings increase, the number of unemployed workers has decreased.
Each Canadian province had a different relationship between unemployment and job openings. In Newfoundland and Labrador, there were approximately four unemployed people for every open position, compared to less than one in Quebec and British Columbia. A lower ratio denotes a more competitive labor market and potential labor shortage.
Significant employment issues beset Canadian employers. For every 100 open positions in the first quarter, there were about 34 new hires. When comparable statistics first became available in the first quarter of 2016, there were 82 new recruits for every 100 openings, compared to 48 in the first quarter of last year.
Employers in the high-demand sectors of housing and food service employed about 23 new workers for every 100 open positions. Around 23 people are employed in social work and health care. About 50 people were employed by professional, scientific, and technical companies.
According to the Canadian Survey on Business Conditions from January 4 to February 7, about two-fifths of employers think that finding Skilled workers will be difficult, and about 30 percent expect that keeping staff will be difficult.
Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration
