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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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September 2018

B.C. employment trends

		Jobs (% change since last month)
Total employment	Jobs (% change since last month) +1.3%	Jobs (change since last month) +33,300
Full time positions	Jobs (% change since last month) +1.3%	Jobs (change since last month) +25,800
Part time positions	Jobs (% change since last month) +1.5%	Jobs (change since last month) +7,700

Source: Labour Force Survey (monthly, seasonally adjusted)

Unemployment and participation rates

				September 2018	August 2018
Unemployment rate				September 2018 4.2%	August 2018 5.3%
Participation rate				September 2018 64.9%	August 2018 64.9%

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)+4.1%	Jobs (change since last month)+5,900
Agriculture	Jobs (% change since last month)+14.3%	Jobs (change since last month)+4,600
Construction	Jobs (% change since last month)+2.5%	Jobs (change since last month)+2,700
Educational Services	Jobs (% change since last month)+1.2%	Jobs (change since last month)+3,400
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Leasing	Jobs (% change since last month)-4.6%	Jobs (change since last month)-500
Health Care and Social Assistance	Jobs (% change since last month)+6.4%	Jobs (change since last month)+4,800
Manufacturing	Jobs (% change since last month)+3.1%	Jobs (change since last month)+6,400
Other Primary	Jobs (% change since last month)+2.7%	Jobs (change since last month)+1,200
Other Services	Jobs (% change since last month)+3.9%	Jobs (change since last month)+5,400
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services	Jobs (% change since last month)+5.0%	Jobs (change since last month)+300
Public Administration	Jobs (% change since last month)+6.9%	Jobs (change since last month)+1,300
Transportation and Warehousing	Jobs (% change since last month)+2.2%	Jobs (change since last month)+3,400
Utilities	Jobs (% change since last month)-12.6%	Jobs (change since last month)-200
Wholesale and Retail Trade	Jobs (% change since last month)-3.6%	Jobs (change since last month)-500

Source: Labour Force Survey (monthly, seasonally adjusted)

Regional highlights

Unemployment rate (%)	September 2018	vs	September 2017
Cariboo	September 20185.0%	vs	September 20176.5%
Kootenay	September 20187.2%	vs	September 20177.7%
Mainland / Southwest	September 20184.5%	vs	September 20174.7%
Abbotsford	September 2018 4.8%	vs	September 2017 5.5%
Mission	September 2018 4.8%	vs	September 2017 5.5%
Vancouver	September 2018 4.5%	vs	September 2017 4.5%
North Coast & Nechako	September 20184.7%	vs	September 20175.5%
Northeast	September 20185.6%	vs	September 20175.2%
Thompson-Okanagan	September 20185.9%	vs	September 20176.4%
Kelowna	September 2018 5.7%	vs	September 2017 5.4%
Vancouver Island / Coast	September 20184.6%	vs	September 20175.1%
Victoria	September 2018 3.9%	vs	September 2017 4.5%

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