Bi-Weekly Newsletter
Volume 10: Issue 3. Oct 31, 2025 |
|
|
|
|
Leaders in Workforce Development
Hamilton's Labour Market Connection
Labour Market Updates, News & Community Info
|
|
|---|
|
|
The Latest From WPH
Your source of Labour Market Information in Hamilton
|
|
|---|
|
Canada’s confectionery sector generated $6.1 billion in 2023 — a 9.5% jump from the previous year!
In October 2024 alone, Canadians spent over $1.7 billion on cookies, candy, chocolate, and snack foods. On average, households spent $291 last year on sweet treats.
Learn more about Canada's Candy Crunching numbers!
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Did you know that 98% of all Canadian businesses are small businesses?
They’re the backbone of our economy — employing 5.8 million Canadians and contributing 34% of private-sector GDP.
Between 2017 and 2021, an average of 103,000 new small businesses were created each year — fueling growth in industries like construction, real estate, agriculture, and professional services, where over 99% of businesses are small.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
🌐 Stay connected with Workforce Planning Hamilton!
Follow our Linktree for the latest news, reports, events, community updates, and—most importantly—up-to-date labour market information you can trust.
📲 Check it out here: linktr.ee/WorkforcePlanningHamilton
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Hamilton Community Updates
Find out what's happening in the city!
|
|
|---|
|
 |
Join us for a half-day forum that brings together newcomers, service providers, and community members across Hamilton to connect, learn, and strengthen our shared commitment to welcoming newcomers by ensuring they have a positive settlement experience and feel a sense of belonging.
This year’s conversation will be structured around the unveiling of the 2025 Hamilton Immigrant Survey findings. Together, we’ll explore what the data tells us about the newcomer experience in Hamilton and use these insights to guide dialogue, community feedback, and identify areas for collaboration.
Date: Thursday November 13, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: The Waterfront Banquet Centre, 555 Bay St. North, Hamilton, ON L8L 1H1
Breakfast will be provided. Free parking. Accessible by HSR Bus #20 and #4.
Who Should Attend
-
Newcomers to Hamilton
-
Community members with lived experience of migration
-
Community members who care about newcomers
-
HIPC Members and community partners
-
Staff members of organizations that work with newcomers
-
Decision-makers who want to support newcomers
|
|
|
|
|
Join us at Central Library for Makerfest, a one-day festival celebrating Hamilton’s innovative and creative maker community. Explore live demos, connect with local makers, try hands-on workshops, and shop unique creations — all while discovering what you can make at HPL’s Makerspaces.
Event Details
Live Demonstrations
See innovation in action with 3D printing, vinyl cutting, embroidery, audio recording and more. Makers and HPL Staff will guide you through the creative process.
Information Tables
Learn what’s happening across Hamilton’s maker community. Local organizations and partners will share resources, ideas and ways to get involved.
Hands-On Workshops
Visit workshops where you can design, build and experiment. Whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned maker, there’s a workshop for you.
Curated Vendors Market
Shop local, handmade, and unique goods crafted by Hamilton makers. From art and jewelry to practical tools, every item has a story and a maker behind it. |
|
|---|
|
Youth Pathway to Construction |
|
|---|
|
We are still accepting participants to our Youth Pre-Apprenticeship Program in Construction. The program will offer participants the chance to engage in career exploration, job search preparation, and four weeks of hands-on training provided by LiUNA Local 837 at their training facility in Grimsby (transportation support will be offered).
Eligibility criteria:
- Individuals 19 to 29 years of age
- Permanent residents, convention refugees, or refugee claimants (with a valid work permit)
- Minimum CLB 4 level
For referrals, please send an email with the clients’ information to skilledtrades@iwchamilton.ca
If you have any questions about the program, feel free to contact me at
Ebakri@iwchamilton.ca
|
|
|
|
|
Tech Club for People Living with Dementia |
|
|---|
|
💻✨ Join McMaster University’s ‘Tech Club’ for Older Adults (55+)!
Are you or someone you know living with dementia and interested in learning more about technology?
McMaster University’s Gilbrea Centre for Studies in Aging is inviting participants for a Tech Club — part of a research project designed to explore how older adults engage with technology in fun, supportive ways.
🗓️ When: November 2025 – January 2026
📍 Where: Turner Park Branch (352 Rymal Rd. E, Hamilton)
💬 Includes tech club sessions, short interviews, and a lab tour!
Participation is voluntary — and a great way to connect, learn, and share your experiences.
👉 For more information or to join, contact:
📧 kovalikk@mcmaster.ca | sultazaa@mcmaster.ca
📞 (905) 525-9140 ext. 24449
|
|
|
|
|
FREE Workplace Preperation |
|
|---|
|
 |
The Workplace Preparation Program has been changed to November 10, 2025. We are currently looking for more applicants for our daytime program which is delivered online, Monday to Thursday from 10 am to 11:15 am.
This program is for newcomers to Canada with CLB 6 whose next step is putting their international education or experience to work in Canada. The program prepares participants for success in their job search and in the workplace. Here are the topics for this delivery:
- Labour Market Research
- Job Search Techniques
- Workplace Communication
These are the eligibility requirements:
- Be a permanent resident of Canada, a protected person (with Notice of Decision), or a temporary resident affected by the crisis in Gaza (showing “MOME2023” in status documentation until March 31, 2027), and
- Be 18 years of age or older, and
- Live in Ontario (priority is given to eligible newcomers living in the Hamilton area) and
- Have valid proof of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) assessment at the required level of the class of your interest
- Don't have proof of CLB? Contact YMCA Immigrant Services to book an appointment to take the assessment: (905) 662-9400 or (905) 526-8452
- The assessment has no cost for permanent residents and protected persons.
Note: Unfortunately, effective April 1, 2025, Ukrainian temporary residents and their dependents are no longer eligible for IRCC-funded settlement services and language training programs including LINC and WPP. People who started a language class before March 31, 2025, can continue in the same level until the end of the academic year (June or July). This program does not change benchmarks or provide a certificate of language proficiency.
If you are interested or know anyone who may be interested, please complete this form: https://www.mohawkcollege.ca/form/wpp-. There will be an online information session on Monday, November 3rd at 3 pm if you would like to connect with staff and learn more about the program. Here is the link to register for the info session: https://forms.office.com/r/VPiKnQkZew?origin=lprLink. I have attached a copy of the flyer for you to share as well.
For more information on all our programs, please visit our website at www.mohawkcollege.ca/newcomers. If you have any questions, please email LearnEnglish@mohawkcollege.ca or you can phone 905-575-2421 from Monday to Friday between 9 am and 3 pm. |
|
|
|
|
What's In The News?
Latest updates!
|
|
|---|
|
YWCA Hamilton’s PowerUp Program is excited to host a Women-Led Pop-Up Market in collaboration with the International Village BIA! Do you work with any small business owners looking to showcase their products and connect with the community? Here’s their chance to participate as a vendor—completely free of charge!
Event Details:
Location
: 244 King Street East, Hamilton
Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
(Setup begins at 9:00 AM and must be completed by 9:15 AM.)
Deadline to apply: Tuesday, October 28th at 5:00 PM.
*Vendors must bring their own table & chair*
|
|
|
|
|
Mark your calendars, Hamilton Day is returning for 2025!
Hamilton Day is all about one thing: spreading local love. Thousands of Hamiltonians and visitors will spend the weekend shopping, dining, and experiencing entertainment across the city.
Kickoff activities start on Friday, October 31st, followed by a full weekend of programming starting Saturday, November 1st. As part of our Hamilton Day festivities, local author and tour guide Bill King will be hosting a free guided walking tour of downtown Hamilton on Saturday, November 1 from 11 AM to noon.
|
|
|
|
|
Did you know, you can now request data from Workforce Planning Hamilton using our Data Request form?
Workforce Planning Hamilton’s labour market information can help identify:
- In-demand Industries, Skills & Jobs
- Workforce demographics
- Growing, declining & changing trends
- Job vacancy data
- Labour force supply & demand
- Immigration into the workforce
- Currently hiring skills & positions
- And More!
|
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
|  |
|
|
|
|
