Workforce Planning Hamilton

Workforce Planning Hamilton WPH is Hamilton's Labour Market Connection

WPH is a leader in local workforce development, providing evidence-based analysis and engaging a broad range of labour market stakeholders.

🌈 2SLGBTQ+ Canadians contribute to a diverse and highly educated workforce across the country.According to Canadian data...
06/03/2026

🌈 2SLGBTQ+ Canadians contribute to a diverse and highly educated workforce across the country.

According to Canadian data, 1.3 million people aged 15 and older identified as part of the 2SLGBTQ+ population. Among gender-diverse Canadians aged 18 and older, educational attainment varies across groups, with 39% of non-binary individuals holding a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to 23% of transgender men and 24% of transgender women.

Gender-diverse Canadians are also represented across a range of educational pathways, including college, CEGEP, university programs, and skilled trades, highlighting the many routes people take to build careers and contribute to the labour market.

The data also shows that 9% of non-binary individuals identified as Indigenous, compared to 6% of transgender men and 5% of transgender women, demonstrating the importance of understanding the intersections of identity within Canada's workforce.

📊 Building an inclusive labour market starts with understanding the people who make up our communities.

National AccessAbility Week is an opportunity to recognize the contributions of Canadians with disabilities and reflect ...
06/01/2026

National AccessAbility Week is an opportunity to recognize the contributions of Canadians with disabilities and reflect on the barriers that still exist in the labour market.

In 2025, the employment rate for persons with disabilities was 47.2%, compared to 66.4% for persons without disabilities. Despite these challenges, approximately 4.6 million Canadians with disabilities were employed. At the same time, the wage gap continues to grow, with the difference in average hourly earnings increasing from $1.91 in 2023 to $2.22 in 2024.

Creating a more accessible and inclusive workforce benefits everyone. During National AccessAbility Week, let's continue working toward workplaces where all individuals have equal opportunities to succeed.

👮 National Police Week takes place from May 10–16, 2026, recognizing the dedication of police services and personnel who...
05/15/2026

👮 National Police Week takes place from May 10–16, 2026, recognizing the dedication of police services and personnel who help keep communities safe across Canada.

Here in Hamilton, the Hamilton Police Service workforce includes more than 1,100 sworn officers and civilian employees serving a growing community.

Nationally, diversity within policing continues to increase. Between 2011 and 2024, visible minority representation among regular members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police grew from 7.8% to 13.7%, while women represented 21.5% of regular members in 2024.

This week recognizes the important contributions of police personnel and the evolving workforce supporting public safety across our communities.

Hamilton Newcomer Day 2026 is coming up! 🎉What to expect:Opening Ceremony at 1:30 PMInformation Fair with 30+ community ...
05/14/2026

Hamilton Newcomer Day 2026 is coming up! 🎉

What to expect:
Opening Ceremony at 1:30 PM
Information Fair with 30+ community organizations
Community & Kids Zone
Local vendors and live performances

✨ New this year:
Community Mural
FREE Forge FC tickets for the June 10 International Night game

Event Details:
📅 Friday May 29, 2026
🕛 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 Hamilton City Hall (71 Main St W)

Head over to Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council to learn more!

🩺 National Nursing Week 2026 runs from May 11–17, celebrating this year’s theme: “The Power of Nurses to Transform Healt...
05/14/2026

🩺 National Nursing Week 2026 runs from May 11–17, celebrating this year’s theme: “The Power of Nurses to Transform Health.”

Nurses continue to play a critical role in shaping healthcare through leadership, innovation, expertise, and compassionate patient care.

Here in Hamilton, Hamilton Health Sciences and St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton remain among the city’s top employers — reflecting the continued importance of healthcare workers in our local economy and community.

Across Ontario, the nursing workforce grew by 4% in 2025, reaching more than 190,000 nurses — the strongest growth seen since 2020. Programs like the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant are also helping reduce financial barriers for future healthcare professionals and supporting the next generation of nurses.

This week, we recognize and thank nurses for the lasting impact they make every day. 💙

In 2026, Workforce Planning Hamilton is focused on what matters most: stronger insights, deeper collaboration, and real ...
05/01/2026

In 2026, Workforce Planning Hamilton is focused on what matters most: stronger insights, deeper collaboration, and real impact for our local workforce.

We’re turning data into action—through research, community engagement, and practical tools that support Hamilton’s workforce and economy.

From our Local Labour Market Plan and Hamilton Business Survey to new youth-focused initiatives and accessible LMI video content, we’re working to better understand—and respond to—the needs of our community.

🤝 We’re looking to collaborate.
If your organization aligns with this work, there are many ways to get involved:
• Share insights and data
• Participate in consultations
• Help amplify findings
• Put workforce insights into action

👉 Let’s work together to shape Hamilton’s workforce future: [link]

April 28 marks the National Day of Mourning — a time to remember those impacted by workplace injuries, illnesses, and fa...
04/28/2026

April 28 marks the National Day of Mourning — a time to remember those impacted by workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities, and to reflect on the importance of safer workplaces.

Recent data shows ongoing challenges:
• 54% of workers experienced ergonomic risks, with the highest exposure in agriculture, trades & transport, and manufacturing
• Sprains and strains made up 36% of WSIB-reported injuries
• Tragically, 171 work-related fatalities were recorded in Ontario in 2025

Every number represents a life, a family, and a community.

Learn more and access resources to support awareness: www.ccohs.ca/events/mourning

04/23/2026

How Education Connects to Work

A lot of people assume that finishing school means a job will follow. And while education does improve your chances, it doesn’t work quite that simply.

When employers talk about what they’re looking for, they usually mention two things: credentials and skills. A credential is the certificate, diploma, or degree you earn when you complete a program. Skills are what you can actually do: whether that’s patient care, electrical work, or managing a project.

According to Statistics Canada, nearly two-thirds of Canadian adults now hold a college or university credential, which means credentials alone are no longer rare. What tends to make a difference is whether your training connects to real opportunities in your area.

In Hamilton, that’s where local pathways come in. Institutions like Mohawk College and McMaster University both offer programs tied to sectors that consistently show up in Hamilton’s hiring data, like healthcare, skilled trades, and technical services. Registered Nurses, Home Support Workers, and Licensed Practical Nurses have been among the most posted positions in Hamilton’s job market.

That doesn’t mean everyone needs to follow the same path. Some people take a two-year college program. Others complete an apprenticeship or start working and upgrade their credentials over time. There’s no single route.

What labour market information can do is help you understand what’s in demand locally, what training leads there, and what to realistically expect, before you invest your time and money.

04/17/2026

Industry vs. Occupation: What’s the Difference?

Two terms that come up often in labour market information are industry and occupation, and they mean different things.

Your industry is where you work: the type of business or sector your employer belongs to. Your occupation is what you do: your actual role and tasks.

A cook working in a hospital, a hotel, or a school cafeteria holds the same occupation in each case, but a different industry every time.

Hamilton offers good examples of how these two ideas work together.

Manufacturing is one of the city’s largest industries. But inside that one industry, you’ll find dozens of occupations: machinists, quality control technicians, logistics coordinators, and HR professionals, among many others.

The industry tells you the sector; the occupation tells you the role.

This distinction matters when you’re researching careers, because the same occupation can come with very different working conditions, responsibilities, and opportunities depending on the industry you’re in.

Knowing both helps you read labour market data more clearly and ask better questions when planning your next step.

New insights into workforce gaps for international students in Hamilton are here.This joint report from Workforce Planni...
04/14/2026

New insights into workforce gaps for international students in Hamilton are here.

This joint report from Workforce Planning Hamilton and the Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council (HIPC) explores where challenges exist for international students and recent graduates—and why they persist.

Now available in multiple languages to support broader access:
• French
• Arabic
• Chinese
• Punjabi

👉 https://www.workforceplanninghamilton.ca/hamiltons-international-student-report/

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