With the federal unemployment rate rising, the province says they’re proud to have one of the lowest rates across the country.
According to minister of jobs, economic development and innovation Diana Gibson, BC has seen a growth in private sector employment making BC the second-highest across the country with growth.
“In April, private sector employment increased by 1,600 and self-employment increased by 2,800,” she says. “Since July 2017, BC has gained 174,000 private-sector jobs, and so far this year we have the second-highest increase in private-sector employment across the country at 5,800 jobs.”
Not to be outdone, but she also says youth in the province are benefiting from increased employment opportunities, and the province is currently leading the country with average hourly wages.
“Youth employment in BC increased in April by 8,400 jobs, which is the largest gain among provinces,” she says. “BC continues to lead the country with an average wage of $38.35, up from 4.8 per cent, up from this time last year.”
According to a labour force survey, the manufacturing sector saw job increases of 1,800 and Gibson says they expect gains of 11,300 jobs this year.