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Labour market snapshots

The monthly Labour Market Snapshot offers a quick overview of B.C.'s labour market. You'll find industry and regional highlights, as well as information on provincial employment, unemployment and participation rates.

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March 2018

B.C. employment trends

		Jobs (% change since last month)
Total employment	Jobs (% change since last month) -0.2%	Jobs (change since last month) -3,900
Full time positions	Jobs (% change since last month) +1.2%	Jobs (change since last month) +23,800
Part time positions	Jobs (% change since last month) -4.9%	Jobs (change since last month) -27,700

Source: Labour Force Survey (monthly, seasonally adjusted)

Unemployment and participation rates

				March 2018	February 2018
Unemployment rate				March 2018 4.7%	February 2018 4.7%
Participation rate				March 2018 64.9%	February 2018 65.0%

Source: Labour Force Survey (monthly, seasonally adjusted)

Industry highlights

	Jobs (% change since last month)	Jobs (change since last month)
Accommodation and Food Services	Jobs (% change since last month)+0.2%	Jobs (change since last month)+400
Agriculture	Jobs (% change since last month)-16.6%	Jobs (change since last month)-4,500
Construction	Jobs (% change since last month)+0.5%	Jobs (change since last month)+1,100
Educational Services	Jobs (% change since last month)+4.0%	Jobs (change since last month)+6,400
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Leasing	Jobs (% change since last month)+1.3%	Jobs (change since last month)+1,900
Health Care and Social Assistance	Jobs (% change since last month)+1.5%	Jobs (change since last month)+5,000
Manufacturing	Jobs (% change since last month)-0.7%	Jobs (change since last month)-1,200
Other Primary	Jobs (% change since last month)-0.2%	Jobs (change since last month)-100
Other Services	Jobs (% change since last month)-1.9%	Jobs (change since last month)-2,300
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services	Jobs (% change since last month)-0.1%	Jobs (change since last month)-100
Public Administration	Jobs (% change since last month)+1.2%	Jobs (change since last month)+1,200
Transportation and Warehousing	Jobs (% change since last month)+1.0%	Jobs (change since last month)+1,300
Utilities	Jobs (% change since last month)+5.4%	Jobs (change since last month)+700
Wholesale and Retail Trade	Jobs (% change since last month)-2.4%	Jobs (change since last month)-9,200

Source: Labour Force Survey (monthly, seasonally adjusted)

Regional highlights

Unemployment rate (%)	March 2018	vs	March 2017
Cariboo	March 20186.6%	vs	March 201710.0%
Kootenay	March 20186.3%	vs	March 20176.4%
Mainland / Southwest	March 20184.3%	vs	March 20175.0%
Abbotsford	March 2018 4.0%	vs	March 2017 7.3%
Mission	March 2018 4.0%	vs	March 2017 N/A
Vancouver	March 2018 4.0%	vs	March 2017 5.0%
North Coast & Nechako	March 20187.6%	vs	March 20176.4%
Northeast	March 20185.7%	vs	March 20176.5%
Thompson-Okanagan	March 20187.4%	vs	March 20178.3%
Kelowna	March 2018 5.2%	vs	March 2017 6.5%
Vancouver Island / Coast	March 20185.6%	vs	March 20175.6%
Victoria	March 2018 4.5%	vs	March 2017 3.7%

N/A - Data not available

Source: Monthly Labour Force Survey, 3-month moving average, seasonally unadjusted