Bi-Weekly Newsletter
Volume 7: Issue 2. July 17, 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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📊 **Hamilton's June Labour Market Snapshot is here!**
How did Hamilton's labour market perform in June 2026?
📉 The unemployment rate **decreased slightly to 6.9%**, remaining below Ontario's rate of **7.2%**.
Read the whole report here! |
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The labour market looks different depending on who you are, and youth are feeling that more than most. Here’s what’s happening in Hamilton.
As of May 2026, 56,900 youth aged 15 to 24 were in Hamilton’s labour force—making up nearly 12% of the city’s workforce.
Over the past year, employment for young men increased by 14%, while employment for young women remained relatively unchanged. |
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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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Advancing Women in Engineering & Manufacturing |
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Join the Conversation: Advancing Women in Engineering & Manufacturing
Workforce Planning Hamilton and YWCA Hamilton invite HR, Engineering, and Operations Managers to participate in an Employer Roundtable Discussion focused on advancing women in engineering and manufacturing.
This collaborative discussion will explore strategies to attract, retain, and advance women in the industry while addressing key topics including recruitment and retention, mentorship, workforce challenges, and workplace inclusion.
📅 Date: August 4, 2026
🕒 Time: 3:30 p.m. (45–60 minutes)
📍 Location: Putman Family YWCA, 52 Ottawa St. N., Hamilton
Participants will have the opportunity to share their expertise, learn from industry peers, and help shape future workforce strategies in Hamilton. As a thank you, attendees will be entered into a draw to win two complimentary tickets to the Women in Leadership Luncheon this fall.
To register or learn more, contact Michelle Butcher at michelle.butcher@workforceplanninghamilton.ca or Deborah Schwientek at DSchwientek@ywcahamilton.org.
We look forward to hearing your perspective and working together to create a more inclusive workforce.
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Recreation Programs in your Community |
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Discover Recreation Programs in Our Community – Free Online Information Session
Looking to help your clients connect with affordable recreation programs and community services? Join us for a free online information session to learn about the recreation opportunities available throughout Hamilton.
Hear directly from guest speakers from the City of Hamilton and YMCA Hamilton Burlington Brantford as they share information about local programs, activities, and services that can help individuals stay active, build connections, and engage in their community.
Session Details
📅 Date: August 6, 2026
🕙 Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
💻 Location: Microsoft Teams
Eligibility: Open to Permanent Residents and Convention Refugees.
🎁 Bonus: Everyone who attends will be entered into a draw to win a complimentary one-week YMCA Guest Pass to experience YMCA Hamilton facilities at no cost.
🔗 Register today: https://forms.office.com/r/59hj0r1218
We encourage you to share this opportunity with your clients, colleagues, and networks who may benefit from learning more about recreation programs and community resources in Hamilton. |
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New Newcomer Housing Guide Now Available
The Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council (HIPC) is pleased to announce the release of its Newcomer Housing Guide—a practical resource designed to help newcomers navigate the rental housing system in Hamilton.
Whether renting for the first time in Ontario or looking to better understand the housing process, the guide provides clear, easy-to-follow information on:
- Finding and applying for housing
- Understanding leases and rent payments
- Tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities
- Eviction prevention
- Maintenance and repairs
- Local housing supports and resources
The guide is intended for newcomers living in or moving to Hamilton and is a valuable resource for settlement agencies, community organizations, and service providers supporting newcomers.
The guide will soon be available in French, Arabic, Spanish, and Dari, with additional language translations welcomed.
📖 Access the Newcomer Housing Guide by visiting the HIPC website.
HIPC extends its sincere thanks to the Housing Working Group for their collaboration and dedication in developing this important resource.
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Explore Self-Employment with POWERUP Explore
Have you been thinking about starting your own business or becoming self-employed? POWERUP Explore is a free four-week virtual program designed for women and gender-diverse individuals who are exploring entrepreneurship or looking to strengthen an existing business.
Participants will gain practical knowledge on topics including:
- Self-employment readiness
- Building a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
- Business models and market research
- Financial planning and personal budgeting
- Personal growth and entrepreneurial confidence
Led by experienced Business Advisors, the program provides expert guidance, valuable tools, and the support needed to take the next step on your entrepreneurial journey.
📅 Program Dates: July 22 & 29 and August 5 & 12
🕙 Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
💻 Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Scan the QR code on the flyer to learn more and register! |
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Employment Search Strategies Workshop |
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Wesley Employment Services will be at the Central Library in July to deliver the next round of the popular
Power of Possible: Employment Search Strategies workshop series. The workshops will run from Monday, July 20th through to Friday, July th, 9:30am-12:30pm. Please share this information with any of your clients who are looking to re-enter the workforce.
The Power of Possible (POP) prepares jobseekers to become an asset in the workplace and to begin on a path of individual economic wellbeing. This dynamic and innovative program teaches learners relevant skills for job seeking, self-management tools, and a structured, active job search curriculum. This includes:
- Interview practice
- Job leads and networking opportunities
- Resume help
- Goal setting techniques
- Conflict resolution techniques
Wesley staff will be visiting the Central Library on the following dates to conduct outreach and register learners for the program. Registrations can only happen through referrals or through intakes during these information tables, so please let your people know that they need to visit on one of these upcoming dates/times if they are interested in registering or simply to learn more about the program:
- Tuesday, July 7th, 10am-1pm
- Thursday, July 9th, 10am-1pm
- Tuesday, July 14th, 10am-1pm
- Thursday, July 16th, 10am-1pm
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What's In The News?
Latest updates!
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Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming many professions, and career development is no exception. Tools such as ChatGPT can help career advisors generate ideas, analyze information, identify transferable skills, and support career exploration.
However, the most effective use of AI in career advising is not as a replacement for professional judgment, but as a tool that enhances and amplifies human expertise.
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What I have heard from career advisors over those 40 years tells me the field is ready for this question. Again and again, practitioners have said some version of the same thing: "If only I could have this conversation with my clients." They entered this work because they wanted to make a genuine difference in people’s lives, yet instead, they often find themselves helping people polish resumes and rehearse interview answers for jobs that may not materialize.
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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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