File photo.
A survey says more Greater Victoria employers plan to hire staff in the first quarter of 2018, rather than cutting back.
The latest employment outlook survey by ManpowerGroup says a fair hiring climate is expected for Victoria at the start of the new year.
ManpowerGroup’s Richard Plumb says data revealed 13 per cent of employers plan to hire for the upcoming quarter, which is January to March, as opposed to 10 per cent that anticipate cutbacks.
This comes as Victoria has the lowest unemployment rate in Canada at 3.3 per cent, according to Statistics Canada figures from November.
Despite the low unemployment, businesses say there is a labour shortage as workers have a hard time affording to live in Victoria because of an expensive real-estate market and skyrocketing rental rates.
Even if you can afford a place, a .7 per cent vacancy rate means it’s nearly impossible to find, or keep one.
The Salvation Army said at the start of the month the need in the community is growing.
There is 77 per cent of employers who expect to maintain staffing levels in the upcoming quarter.
ManpowerGroup Vice President and General Manager Darlene Minatel said businesses are adopting a cautious approach to the new year, even with an expected overall good performance for the Canadian economy.
“Many companies are waiting to see the impact of higher interest rates and proposed minimum wage increases in some provinces,” Minatel said.
Andy Neal
