Bi-Weekly Newsletter
Volume 6: Issue 2. June 19, 2026 |
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Leaders in Workforce Development
Hamilton's Labour Market Connection
Labour Market Updates, News & Community Info
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The Latest From WPH
Your source of Labour Market Information in Hamilton
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Indigenous Peoples’ Day - June 21
According to the 2021 census, there were 15,420 individuals in Hamilton who identified as Indigenous, with 67% having First Nations ancestry, 27% being of Métis descent, and 1% being of Inuit descent.
The Indigenous population in Hamilton saw an 8% increase from 2016 to 2021.
Over 7,000 of the Indigenous population in Hamilton hold a high school diploma or a post-secondary degree, certificate, or diploma.
The employment rate of Indigenous people in Canada was 74.2% in 2025.
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📊 Hamilton's labour market saw mixed results in May 2026.
Employment increased by 12,100 jobs, driven largely by growth in the private sector, while the unemployment rate rose to 7.0%, remaining below Ontario's 7.4% rate.
🔗 Explore the full May 2026 Labour Market Snapshot to learn more about Hamilton's workforce trends, hiring demand, and emerging opportunities. |
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Your Hub for Hamilton Labour Market Information
Looking for the latest labour market reports, workforce insights, event recordings, newsletters, and community resources? Workforce Planning Hamilton's Linktree brings everything together in one convenient place.
Access our Local Labour Market Plan (LLMP), monthly labour market snapshots, research reports, business surveys, Labour Market 101 resources, newsletters, and more—all from a single link.
Whether you're an employer, job seeker, educator, researcher, or community partner, our Linktree makes it easy to stay informed about workforce trends and opportunities in Hamilton.
🔗 Visit our Linktree and explore the latest labour market information and resources available from Workforce Planning Hamilton.
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Hamilton Community Updates
Find out what's happening in the city!
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Have You Checked Out Our Latest Workforce Reports?
At Workforce Planning Hamilton, we are committed to providing timely, relevant labour market information to help employers, job seekers, educators, community organizations, and policymakers make informed decisions.
We recently released several key resources, including our Hamilton Business Survey, Hamilton International Student Report, Labour Market Information (LMI) Videos, and our annual Local Labour Market Plan (LLMP).
If you have viewed any of these resources, we would greatly appreciate your feedback. Your input helps us understand what information is most valuable to our community and guides the development of future reports and resources.
📊 Share your feedback:
If you havn't read these reports, you can view them here!
https://linktr.ee/WorkforcePlanningHamilton
Thank you for helping us continue to improve the labour market information and workforce planning resources available to our community.
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Skilled Trades Pre-Apprenticeship |
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YWCA Hamilton Skilled Trades Pre-Apprenticeship Programs – Now Recruiting
YWCA Hamilton is currently recruiting participants for its no-cost Pre-Apprenticeship Programs in Skilled Trades, designed to support women and gender-diverse individuals interested in building a career in the trades.
Programs currently accepting referrals and applications include:
- Welder
- Auto Body & Collision Damage Repairer
- Automotive Service Technician
Participants receive hands-on technical training, industry-recognized certifications, employability and job-readiness support, assistance securing paid work placements, transportation support (where available), and personal protective equipment (PPE). Programs range from 26–32 weeks of in-person training and are delivered in partnership with Mohawk College and Conestoga College.
While the Welding and Auto Body & Collision Damage Repairer programs have already begun, YWCA Hamilton is still connecting with interested applicants and welcomes referrals for future intake opportunities.
Please share these opportunities with eligible individuals in your networks, programs, and communities. |
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Hamilton Council on Aging |
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Share Your Voice: 2SLGBTQ+ Community Conversation for Hamilton Residents 50+
The Hamilton Council on Aging and the City of Hamilton invite members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community aged 50+ to participate in an upcoming community conversation to help shape Hamilton’s next Age-Friendly & Dementia-Inclusive Community Plan (2027–2031).
This engagement session is an opportunity to share your experiences, ideas, and hopes for the future. Feedback gathered will help inform community priorities and actions over the next five years.
📅 Monday, June 29, 2026
🕐 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
📍 Putman Family YWCA, 52 Ottawa Street North, Hamilton
☕ Light refreshments will be provided.
Community members are encouraged to register online and help ensure that diverse voices from Hamilton’s 2SLGBTQ+ community are reflected in the city’s future planning efforts.
Register here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdw-2yuqQheb3iHcqpdSUmjJcirlwWuYp3pHhA3DgGoLHIR2Q/viewform?usp=header
As a reminder, the broader Age-Friendly Hamilton community survey and engagement process remains open until July 5, 2026.
All Hamilton residents aged 50+ are encouraged to visit agefriendlyhamilton.com to complete the survey and learn more about opportunities to provide feedback and help shape Hamilton’s next five-year plan.
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YMCA Bridge to Work Program for Internationally Trained Teachers and Early Childhood Educators
The YMCA of Hamilton | Burlington | Brant is now accepting applications for its Bridge to Work – Early Childhood Education Program, beginning July 13, 2026.
This free program is designed to help internationally trained teachers and early childhood educators transition into meaningful employment in childcare settings throughout Hamilton, Burlington, and Brantford.
Participants will receive:
- Two weeks of in-person employment readiness training in Hamilton
- An introduction to childcare centres, policies, and procedures
- CPR and First Aid certification
- A 16-week work placement
- One-on-one mentorship and support
The program is open to internationally trained teachers and early childhood educators who:
- Have post-secondary education and experience in teaching or childcare
- Are Permanent Residents, Convention Refugees, or hold a valid Work Permit with a MOME2021 remark
- Have an English Language Benchmark (CLB) level 6 or higher
If you know someone who may benefit from this opportunity, please share it within your networks and communities.
For more information, contact Hanna Lishchuk at hanna.lishchuk@ymcahbb.ca |
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Skills Pathways for Work: Supporting Employee Training and Skills Development
Are some of your employees looking to upgrade their skills, complete training, or pursue further education?
Learning Connections Hamilton's Skills Pathways for Work program helps employers connect their workforce with training and education opportunities that support career growth and workplace success.
Employers can learn more about options including foundational skills development, digital technology training, high school credits or equivalency, apprenticeship pathways, and post-secondary education opportunities. By investing in employee learning, businesses can strengthen their workforce, improve retention, and support long-term growth.
To learn more, connect with a Learning Navigator at Learning Connections Hamilton by calling 289-779-8972, emailing info@lchamilton.ca, or visiting www.lchamilton.ca. |
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What's In The News?
Latest updates!
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I recently ran a LinkedIn survey asking leaders to choose their top three must-haves in their next role. The options were: work-life balance, a great boss, an ideal location, great money, mission or purpose-driven work, promotional opportunities and the flexibility to work from home.
The winners might surprise you.
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There are multiple factors conspiring to make entry-level employment more elusive, and it’s not only having a major impact on vulnerable workers but also the very future of our labour market.
The growing use of AI and other forms of automation is certainly affecting hiring and driving up youth unemployment, but it’s not the only factor.
Growing tariffs, a rising minimum wage, an aging employer community and economic uncertainty are all prompting employers to adopt a wait-and-see approach that is affecting entry-level workers.
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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!
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