Almaguin makes its living in the trades and service industry, says Stats Can

by Keely Grasser

Mar 12, 2008

ALMAGUIN — Almaguin’s residents are most likely employed in trades and transportation or sales and services-related occupations.

That’s according to new industry-related figures released by Statistics Canada based on results from the 2006 census.

Almost every community in Almaguin reported trades and transportation and sales and services as their most popular occupations. Business, finance and administration occupations also made a significant showing in a handful of communities, including Bonfield, Machar, Nipissing and Sundridge.

In South River, jobs related to processing, manufacturing and utilities came in second place (sales and service occupations were the most popular) while one in 10 Sundridge workers reported working in the education and health and social science field. About 45 per cent of the Sundridge workforce makes their living in sales and services.

The area’s top occupations are similar to provincial and national rates.

In Ontario, business-related occupations are tops, with sales and service jobs coming in second.

Nationally, sales and service jobs are most popular, followed by business, finance and administration occupations with trades and transportation jobs coming in third.

In terms of the type of industry worked in, Almaguinites are quite likely to be employed in the business services field. That’s the top industry in Armour, Bonfield, Callander, East Ferris, Machar, Magnetawan and Nipissing.

Construction is another popular industry, taking the top spot in Joly, McMurrich-Monteith and Whitestone, and second place in Armour, Burk’s Falls, Perry, Ryerson and Strong.

Manufacturing had some showings in the area’s top industries. It’s the most popular industry in Burk’s Falls, Kearney, Perry, Ryerson and Strong.

The retail industry also had a strong showing in Callander, East Ferris, Machar, McMurrich-Monteith, Perry, South River, Strong and Sundridge.

The northern part of Almaguin has more health and social science industry workers. Bonfield, Callander, East Ferris, Nipissing and Powassan all had significant numbers — between 12 and 16 per cent— of people working in health and social science industries.

Machar, South River, Sundridge and Whitestone also showed significant portions of their work forces employed in these fields.

Agriculture and resource-based industries shared the top spot with business services in Chisholm.

Local trends in occupations also echo provincial and national figures.

In Ontario, the top industries are business and manufacturing.

Nationally, business, manufacturing, retail and health and social services are most popular.

Though breakdowns of specific job roles aren’t available for local communities, Statistic Canada has released the top 10 most popular jobs for Canadian men and women.

The top jobs for Canuck men are: retail salesperson or sales clerk, followed by truck driver, retail trades manager, janitor/caretaker, farmer, material manager, mechanic, carpenter, construction labourer and then sales, marketing or advertising manager.

Canadian women are most likely to be retail salespersons or sales clerks, followed by cashiers, nurses, office clerks, secretaries, teachers, food industry workers, early childhood education educators or assistants, servers and then light-duty cleaners.

Visit www.statcan.ca to find out more about your particular community, or read up on national trends in the labour market.