In this edition:
Job vacancies and job vacancy rate continue to fall in the first quarter
The number of job vacancies decreased by 33,500 (-3.8%) in the first quarter, falling to 843,200 and marking the third straight quarterly decline from the record high reached in the second quarter of 2022 (984,600).
Meanwhile, payroll employment increased by 89,200 (+0.5%) in the first quarter of 2023, the eighth consecutive quarterly increase. The quarter-over-quarter growth rate in total labour demand (the sum of filled and vacant positions) was 0.3% in the first quarter, down from 1.0% in the first quarter of 2022.
Ontario to offer free training for electricians
The Ontario government is investing $2.7 million to support an innovative project to help 65 electrical workers upgrade their skills and meet the demand for qualified electricians in eastern Ontario. Led by KE Electrical, the free program will provide participants with the training needed to progress from labourer to apprentice, apprentice to journeyman, and journeyman to foreman. This will help electrical workers earn more take-home pay for themselves and their families, while tackling the critical shortage of skilled trades workers the province faces.
Niagara Falls Craft Distillers and United Craft Inc. form partnership
Two Ontario craft beverage manufacturers are teaming up to bring new products to Ontario consumers and eventually across Canada. Niagara Falls Craft Distillers (NFCD) and United Craft Inc. (UC) have entered into a strategic partnership to pursue an accelerated path for products, manufacturing, selling and distribution of made-in-Ontario craft beverages with the formation of United Niagara Beverages (UNB).
Wainfleet CAO Announces Retirement
The Township of Wainfleet’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), William Kolasa, has announced his upcoming retirement. Wainfleet Council is pleased to announce their unanimous appointment of the Township’s current Treasurer, Mallory Luey, as the new Chief Administrative Officer as the fruition of the Township’s succession planning efforts.
Tawse Winery founder creates scholarship in memory of winemaker Paul Pender
Award-winning winemaker and Niagara College alumnus Paul Pender, who passed away suddenly in February 2022 at the age of 54, is being honoured through a scholarship that will help the next generation of diverse winemakers.
Moray Tawse, founder of Tawse Winery in Vineland where Pender was the Director of Viticulture and Winemaking at the time of his passing, has made an endowed gift of close to $200,000 to create “The Tawse Winery Paul Pender Memorial BIPOC Student Award.”
The donation will fund annual $10,000 scholarships for BIPOC students in NC’s Winery and Viticulture Technician program, which Pender graduated from in 2006.
Did you know?
Samsung was founded in 1938 and traded in groceries.
Focus on Finance & Economy
High government spending doesn’t necessarily fuel inflation: economists
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s attempt to block the federal government’s budget bill from passing earlier this month is the latest example of government spending coming under scrutiny amid high inflation.
And while most fiscal experts agree that government spending can fuel inflation, economic research suggests the link between the two is more complex.
Through the Daily Updates, the GNCC aims to deliver important business news in a timely manner. We disseminate all news and information we feel will be important to businesses. Inclusion in the Daily Update is not an endorsement by the GNCC.
