Vital Signs Data
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
SDG 8: Ensure sustained and inclusive economic growth to drive progress, create decent jobs for all and improve living standards.
Workforce
Workforce
- The 2021 labour force census data was affected by pandemic restrictions. Mass migrations of remote workers from large urban centres to rural areas boosted the local construction industry, and increased employment numbers in professional industries (see industry sectors)
- PEC has a large proportion of people not participating in the labour force (PEC 48.9% / ON 37.2%)
- The pandemic contributed to an increase in self-employment, reaching 2,592 individuals. This growth has further enhanced PEC's already higher-than-average proportion of self-employed workers (PEC 25.5% / ON 14.6%).
- Remote work and working from home increased significantly, rising from 11% in 2011 to 27.6% in 2021.
| Indicator | PEC 2006 | PEC 2011 | PEC 2016 | PEC 2021 | ON 2021 | PEC 2023 | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of businesses with employees | -- | -- | 840 | 931 | -- | 1,079 | Stats Can Business Counts |
| Number of jobs | -- | -- | 8,438 (2015) | -- | 8,512 (2022) | OMAFRA Lightcast | |
| Number of businesses without employees | -- | -- | 1,934 | 2,051 | -- | 2,592 | Stats Can Business Counts |
| In the labour force | 12,570 | 11,890 | 11,530 | 11,350 | -- | *12,092 | Stats Can census, *Environics Analytics |
| Worked full year, full time | -- | -- | 28.5% | 27.3% | 33.8% | Stats Can census | |
| Worked part-time | -- | -- | 30.2% | 25.6% | 28.3% | Stats Can census | |
| Employment Status: employee | -- | 83.6% | 78.6% | 73.2% | 82.6% | Stats Can census | |
| Employment Status: self-employed | -- | 16.4% | 20.3% | 25.5% | 14.6% | *26.3% | Stats Can census, *Environics Analytics |
| Labour participation rate | 59% | 55% | 54.2% | 51.1% | 62.8% | * 53.4% | Stats Can census, *Environics Analytics |
| Unemployment rate | 6% | 8.4% | 5.7% | 9.2% | 12.2% | *5.4% | Stats Can census, *Environics Analytics |
| Employment rate (ages 15+) | 55.4% | 50.4% | 51.2% | 46.4% | 55.1% | Stats Can census |
Workforce Shortages
In the midst of labour shortages and historically low unemployment, Canada faces record retirements from an aging labour force. More than 1 in 5 persons (21.8%) are close to retirement and from 2016 to 2021, the number of children younger than 15 grew six times slower than the number of persons aged 65 and older. (The Daily, Stats Canada 2022-04-27)
Prince Edward County’s workforce shortages are further impacted by a declining percentage of working age population and lack of affordable housing. The key population for workforce development, individuals age 25 to 54, decreased by 1.5% (2016 to 2021).
The Prince Edward County Chamber of Commerce survey at May 15, 2023 reported 32% of 1041 employers do not have sufficient housing for staff.
The pandemic has exacerbated the issue especially in the hospitality industry which has seen a mass exodus as workers upskilled or switched to other jobs.
The shortage of healthcare workers is causing increased pressure and burnout among those currently employed.
- County Docs is actively recruiting physicians.
- Local bursaries support PEC residents looking to advance their healthcare education.
- A shuttle provides transportation for Personal Support Worker and Nursing student placements between Loyalist College, the hospital, and McFarland Home.
Around 700,000 of the four million Canadians working in the trades are expected to retire by the end of the decade. (Employment and Social Development Canada)
- In PEC, 820 people (6.7%) hold an apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma, down from 2,315 (12.2%) in 2011. This decline mirrors a broader provincial trend, with Ontario's rate at 5.1%.
- In January 2022, the Ontario government launched Skilled Trades Ontario, a new Crown agency, to improve trades training and simplify services.
- In September 2024, Thrive PEC commenced a Workforce Development Pilot centred on skilled trades in PEC, supported by an Ontario Rural Economic Development grant.
The Prince Edward County Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with local technology workforce scheduling app “Shift Yourself” launched a “Work Local” campaign in September 2021. The technology provides a shared scheduling system between employers and employees, to support labour shortages affecting businesses. During the busy season and the weeks leading up to it, businesses struggle to meet growing demand, specifically in the service industry due to severe staffing shortages. Many positions are seasonal and/or part-time in nature with schedules changing regularly to meet shifting demand.
Learn more about Work Local.
Employment
Barriers to employment encompass various challenges such as inadequate housing, clothing, or food, limited proficiency in English, a criminal history, lack of education, lack of applicable work experience, lack of credentials, lack of reliable transportation, and/or difficulties associated with childcare arrangements.
Find jobs in demand in PEC’s economic region (select Ontario Eastern Region)
Employment Resources
Career Edge job board, free career counselling and paid internships. https://careeredge.on.ca/our-services/
Prince Edward Learning Centre employment preparation. Work – Earn – Learn through the Inspire program. http://www.princeedwardlearningcentre.com/inspire/
Work.Local Prince Edward County. The technology provides a shared scheduling system between employers and employees, to support labour shortages affecting businesses.
www.pecchamber.com/Work%20Local/work-local
Centre for Workforce Development provides labour market information, engages the businesses and develops initiatives that address workforce issues. www.cfwd.ca
