Labour Force

Rooftops of Market Square - Photo Paul WashKingston's labour force is as diverse as it's employers.  With our enviable lifestyle, lower cost of living compared to larger urban centres and access to premium health care and educational facilities, Kingston is considered a great place to live and work.

Kingston's labour force has drawn national attention over the years as:

  • The smartest workforce in Canada (Calgary Sun/Stats Canada)
  • Top city for young, talented workers (Next Cities™ Consulting)
  • Top ten best place to work in Canada with strongest labour force (CanaData)
  • One of the best places to live in Canada (Moneysense Magazine)
  • City with one of lowest unemployment rates in province/country (Stats Canada)

According to a recently released Manpower Research Report, Kingston employers report robust hiring intentions for Q1 2010, with a Net Employment Outlook of +33% (compared to 0% provincial Outlook).

Labour Force Characteristics

 

 November
2008

 November
2009

 Annual change (thousands)

 Annual % change

 Population -
 Kingston CMA

 126,200

 126,400

 0.2

 0.2

 Labour Force

 82,900

 84,800

 1.9

 2.3

  - Employment

 78,900

 79,500

 0.6

 0.8

  - Unemployment

 4,000

5,300

1.3 

32.5 

 Participation rate

 65.7%

 67.1%

 1.4

 --

 Unemployment rate 

 4.8%

 6.3%

 1.5

 --

 Employment rate

 62.5%

 62.9%

 0.4

 --

* Statistics unadjusted, by CMA (3 month moving average) Source: StatsCanada, Labour Force Survey

Labour Force Overview

According to the 2006 StatsCan Census, Kingston's labour force features include:

  • 65% of population participates in Kingston's labour force
  • 54% of population has post secondary diploma, certificate or university degree
  • 22% of population has a university degree (Bachelors level or higher)
  • 15% of population has knowledge of both official languages - English + French
Population & Labour Force Participation
Total population of Kingston CMA 152,358
Total population 15 years and over123,845
Employment By Occupation

Total experienced labour force 15 years and over

79,035

Management

7,225

Business, finance & administration

13,575 

Natural and applied sciences related

4,760

Health

6,420

Social science, education, government service & religion

9,860

Art, culture, recreation & sport

2,400

Sales & service

22,030

Trades, transport, equipment operators & related

9,400

Primary industry related

1,435

Processing, manufacturing & utilities

1,930

Employment by Industry
Agriculture & resource based

1,315

Construction

4,765

Manufacturing

4,305

Wholesale trade

1,815

Retail trade

9,700

Finance & Real Estate

3,855

Health care & Social services

11,295

Educational services

9,875

Business services

11,230

Other

20,870

Educational Attainment
Total population 15 years and over

123,845

No certificate, diploma or degree

23,235

High school certificate or equivalent

33,525

Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma

10,000

College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma

26,445

University certificate or diploma below the bachelor level

3,760

University certificate, diploma or degree

26,875

* Source: StatsCanada, 2006 Census Community Profiles

For more information on Kingston's labour force, please visit the Statistics Canada website to review the 2006 Census Community Profile.