Toronto Labour Market News Update — June 2012

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The new month brings updates about developments and initiatives which lead to new job opportunities in Toronto and the GTA.

The information below is drawn from the federal government’s Skills Development, Training and Employment Supports Department‘s monthly Toronto Labour Market Monitor (LMM), combined with our own tips for job seekers to guide the process of finding the jobs and applying to them.

The recent edition of the Toronto Labour Market Monitor (LMM) included the following labour market news for June 2012:

CONSTRUCTION

Typically, the summer is a busy time for construction; this is reflected in the year’s June data. Most of the developments are in commercial retail projects, as well as recreational initiatives which resulted in public-corporate partnerships. Interestingly, new home sales decreased in comparison to this time last year — mostly due to a reduction in slowing down of sales in the high-rise market.

In Toronto, with a large investment of an estimated $110 million, the rebuilding of the Toronto Waterfront has begun. The project will be carried out in three phases, with an expected completion date of spring 2015. You can read more about the project on the Waterfront Toronto website.

Job seekers: This project is led by Eastern Construction, who have jobs posted on their site in areas such as Engineering, Administration, Superintendent and Quality Assurance. WATERFRONToronto also posts jobs on its site in areas such as Accounting and others. Keep in mind that much of the hiring for this project will happen by the various “vendors” who will be working on aspects of the project such as construction, financial advice, events and marketing. They provide a long list of prequalified vendors and vendors of record who might be contracted over the next 3 years to do work on this project. It’s strongly recommended that job searchers look up the websites of each vendor to contact them for information about hiring.

In Downsview, a new large ice arena facility, with four rinks, training facilities and administrative offices is being built in Downsview Park, in partnership with Buckingham Sports Properties. Work began in spring 2012 and is expected to be completed in September 2013.

Job seekers: It’s worth noting that, in addition to construction and building related jobs, this project will result in long-term positions in a range of occupations such as administration, marketing and athletics. For jobs, check out those posted on the Downsview Park website, as well as on Buckingham Sports’ arena websites, such as the Westwood Arena’s site.

In Georgetown, the Georgetown Marketplace shopping mall is investing $16 million for upgrade and expansion, including adding 30 new stores and a new food court. Construction is scheduled to begin this summer, with their new food court opening in December 2012.

Job seekers: As with all malls, jobs are posted on the Georgetown Marketplace website.The management company is High Peak Group of Companies — look for their postings, as well.

In Oakville, construction began on First Gulf Corporation‘s LEED Gold certified office building. (LEED refers to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design — a “green building” certification which reflects on adherence to certain environmental building standards). The six-storey office building on Davis Road will have PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) LLP as its main tenant.

Job seekers: First Gulf does have a Careers page on their site. The new tenants in the new building will also be hiring eventually, so if you are interested, check out the site in person to identify its tenants and contact them about future positions.

Also, in Oakville, a new Porsche Centre Oakville has started construction, with a dealership expected to open in early 2013.

Job seekers: Once construction is completed, jobs in the automotive retail sector will be found on the Policaro Careers page. To identify the construction company, it would be best to contact the Policaro Automotive Family.

RETAIL TRADE

In Yorkville, Toronto, Victorinox Swiss Army Inc. opened its first North American store. The store will sell clothing for men and women, together with accessories.

Job seekers: Victorinox recruits on its website. You can also check in with the Bloor-Yorkville store in person. I also noticed that the Bloor-Yorkville Business Improvement Area has a careers page on its website, which may be worth checking out.

In Toronto, Bowmanville and Keswick, Dollarama Inc. opened three new locations. 

Job seekers: Dollarama has an active careers site on its website. Once again, it is well worth going to the stores to apply in person, as well.

INFORMATION and CULTURAL INDUSTRIES

The Greater Toronto Area will be benefiting from a TELUS investment of $280 million over the next three-year to enhance wireless technology, creating more than 600 jobs. This is part of a larger $650 million investment  that is expected to create 900 new jobs across Ontario. 

Job seekers: Check out the career page on the TELUS site. 

Typical of the volatile wireless sector, Rogers Communications Inc. announced layoffs of approximately 375 employees, mostly from their wireless divisions — some in management and at the company’s Toronto head office. 

PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC and TECHNICAL SERVICES

Toronto’s King Street saw the opening of a data centre by Cogeco Data Services LP, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cogeco Cable Inc.

Job seekers: Cogeco has an active and full careers page on their website, where they post jobs in a range of sectors, from accountants to IT and marketing professionals.

ADMINISTRATIVE and SUPPORT, WASTE MANAGEMENT and REMEDIATION SERVICES

On Toronto’s Bay Street, Hobbs & Towne Inc., a “green” executive search company which describes itself as having “‘pioneered’ recruiting in Clean Technology and Alternative Energy and …been the leader in the evolving Energy Technology and Sustainability sectors“ will open a new office in July. 

Job seekers: read more about Hobbs & Towne Inc on their website and LinkedIn page.

HEALTH CARE and SOCIAL ASSISTANCE

In downtown Toronto, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has now completed the first phase of their redevelopment project. British based Carillion Health Solutions opened the three new buildings (the Bell Gateway Building, the Intergenerational Wellness Centre, and the Utilities and Parking Building).The project is estimated to have cost $293 million.

Job seekers: Check out CAMH employment opportunities, both for the Foundation and the Hospital.

ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT and RECREATION

In Richmond Hill, Golfzon Canada Inc., an international leader in golf simulator systems, opened GOLFZON PARK, a 3-D virtual golfing facility. The company plans to open additional locations in Toronto, Mississauga and Milton this year. 

Job seekers: Check out Golfzon’s employment opportunities on their website for positions for Servers, Cooks, Chefs, Retail Cashiers, Supervisors, Assistant Managers and Managers.

ACCOMMODATION and FOOD SERVICES

In Toronto’s Shops at Don Mills, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Inc., a large multinational Chinese restaurant chain, will open its first restaurant in late July. 

Job seekers: Check out PF Chang’s careers page. Remember to visit the store in person with your resume. The restaurant is located at Shops at Don Mills.

A NOTE of CAUTION:

Readers should keep in mind that this information captures a moment in time and does not necessarily reflect ongoing trends. Sudden events or changes can impact on this data quickly. At the end of the Labour Market Monitor report, the following is noted:

“Note: In preparing this document, the authors have taken care to provide clients with labour market information that is timely and accurate at the time of publication. Since labour market conditions are dynamic, some of the information presented here may have changed since this document was published. Users are encouraged to also refer to other sources for additional information on the local economy and labour market.”

‘For information on the Labour Force Survey, please visit the Statistics Canada Web site at:

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/tables-tableaux/sum-som/l01/cst01/lfss05d-eng.htm“

I hope you find this new initiative useful for your job search. Any feedback regarding whether (or how) the tips and information might have been useful in your job search would be appreciated.