Kootenay Economic Region Workforce Insights

Key Insights

  • Employment decreased by 5,300 jobs from the previous month and decreased by 4,600 jobs compared to the same month last year.
  • Full-time Employment decreased by 5,600 jobs from the previous month and decreased by 9,200 jobs year-over-year.
  • Part-time Employment increased by 400 jobs from the previous month and increased by 4,600 jobs year-over-year.
  • Unemployment increased by 100 people from the previous month and increased by 2,800 people compared to the same month last year.

Workforce Composition by Status

In the most recent month, Full-time Employment decreased by 5,600 jobs from last month and decreased by 9,200 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Part-time Employment increased by 400 jobs from last month and increased by 4,600 jobs year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals increased by 100 people from the previous month and increased by 2,800 people compared to last year.

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Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate decreased by 3.7 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate increased by 3.2 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate decreased by 1.8 percentage points year-over-year.

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels decreased by 5,300 jobs from the previous month and decreased by 4,600 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment decreased by 5,300 jobs. Over the last year, the labor market has decreased by 4,600 jobs.

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

  • Construction: 9,500 workers.
  • Manufacturing: 5,100 workers.
  • Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: 5,000 workers.

The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Construction, Manufacturing, Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, which together account for 87.5% of the sector's workforce.

Top 3 Industries in Services Sector

  • Health care and social assistance: 13,000 workers.
  • Wholesale and retail trade: 11,700 workers.
  • Accommodation and food services: 8,800 workers.

In the Services sector, Health care and social assistance, Wholesale and retail trade, Accommodation and food services lead employment, representing 58.4% of the sector's workforce.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

  • Accommodation and food services: Change of 1,800 workers (decreased by 16.98%).
  • Construction: Change of 1,600 workers (decreased by 14.41%).
  • Transportation and warehousing: Change of 1,500 workers (decreased by 100%).
  • Health care and social assistance: Change of 1,400 workers (decreased by 9.72%).
  • Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 1,100 workers (decreased by 8.59%).

These industries saw the largest month-over-month changes, indicating short-term trends.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year

  • Accommodation and food services: Change of 5,200 workers (increased by 144.44%).
  • Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: Change of 4,200 workers (decreased by 45.65%).
  • Agriculture: Change of 2,800 workers (increased by Inf%).
  • Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 2,400 workers (decreased by 17.02%).
  • Manufacturing: Change of 2,300 workers (decreased by 31.08%).

The year-over-year changes provide insights into longer-term shifts, highlighting industries that have grown or declined significantly.

Conclusion

Employment has seen a decline over the year, highlighting some challenges in the job market. Key industries driving the trend are: Construction, Manufacturing, Wholesale and retail trade, Health care and social assistance, Accommodation and food services.

Local Workforce Insights

Key Local Labour Market Insights

  • Total local employment reached 14,770 in September 2025, it contracted by 920 jobs from August and fell by 370 jobs year-over-year.
  • The local employment rate reached 58.8%. It declined of 3.8 percentage points from August and contracted by 2.4 percentage points from same month last year.
  • Local unemployment rate is 5.2%. It contracted by 1.6 percentage points month-over-month, and expanded by 0.2 percentage points year-over-year.

Employment Trends

Total employment in September 2025 was 14,770, showing a significant decrease of 920. in contrast to September, employment levels dropped by 370, showing weakness.

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Employment Rate Dynamics

The employment rate reached 58.8% in September 2025. This represents a decline of 3.8 percentage points from August (62.6%). Year-over-year, the rate decreased by 2.4 percentage points from 61.2%.

Unemployment Rate Trends

The unemployment rate was 5.2% in September 2025, down 1.6 percentage points from August. Compared to September last year (5.0%), the rate has increased by 0.2 percentage points.

Employment: Regional vs Local Patterns

The weak correlation (-0.18) between regional and local employment levels indicates relatively independent employment patterns. This suggests that local employment dynamics are largely independent from regional trends.

Employment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

Employment rates show a weak correlation (-0.34) between regional and local levels. This suggests distinct local employment rate patterns, suggesting that local labor market conditions operate independently.

Unemployment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

The unemployment rate correlation of 0.33 shows a moderate relationship. This suggests some common unemployment drivers, indicating that there is partial alignment in labor market stress.

Cranbrook consists of the following communities: Combined Cranbrook Areas .

Monthly Local Workforce Trends

Updated monthly, local monthly workforce trends focus on total employment, and employment unemployment rates estimates at "small-area" level.

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Local area

Employment Trends

Total employment in September 2025 was 14,770, showing a significant decrease of 920. in contrast to September, employment levels dropped by 370, showing weakness.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey November, 2025
Local area

Employment Rate Dynamics

The employment rate reached 58.8% in September 2025. This represents a decline of 3.8 percentage points from August (62.6%). Year-over-year, the rate decreased by 2.4 percentage points from 61.2%.

Unemployment Rate Trends

The unemployment rate was 5.2% in September 2025, down 1.6 percentage points from August. Compared to September last year (5.0%), the rate has increased by 0.2 percentage points.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey November, 2025
Local area

Employment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

Employment rates show a weak correlation (-0.34) between regional and local levels. This suggests distinct local employment rate patterns, suggesting that local labor market conditions operate independently.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey November, 2025
Local area

Unemployment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

The unemployment rate correlation of 0.33 shows a moderate relationship. This suggests some common unemployment drivers, indicating that there is partial alignment in labor market stress.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey November, 2025
Economic region

Workforce Composition by Status

In the most recent month, Full-time Employment decreased by 5,600 jobs from last month and decreased by 9,200 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Part-time Employment increased by 400 jobs from last month and increased by 4,600 jobs year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals increased by 100 people from the previous month and increased by 2,800 people compared to last year.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey November, 2025
Economic region

Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate decreased by 3.7 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate increased by 3.2 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate decreased by 1.8 percentage points year-over-year.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey November, 2025
Economic region

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels decreased by 5,300 jobs from the previous month and decreased by 4,600 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment decreased by 5,300 jobs. Over the last year, the labor market has decreased by 4,600 jobs.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey November, 2025
Economic region

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

  • Construction: 9,500 workers.
  • Manufacturing: 5,100 workers.
  • Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: 5,000 workers.

The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Construction, Manufacturing, Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, which together account for 87.5% of the sector's workforce.

Top 3 Industries in Services Sector

  • Health care and social assistance: 13,000 workers.
  • Wholesale and retail trade: 11,700 workers.
  • Accommodation and food services: 8,800 workers.

In the Services sector, Health care and social assistance, Wholesale and retail trade, Accommodation and food services lead employment, representing 58.4% of the sector's workforce.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey November, 2025
Economic region

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

  • Accommodation and food services: Change of 1,800 workers (decreased by 16.98%).
  • Construction: Change of 1,600 workers (decreased by 14.41%).
  • Transportation and warehousing: Change of 1,500 workers (decreased by 100%).
  • Health care and social assistance: Change of 1,400 workers (decreased by 9.72%).
  • Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 1,100 workers (decreased by 8.59%).

These industries saw the largest month-over-month changes, indicating short-term trends.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey November, 2025
Economic region

Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year

  • Accommodation and food services: Change of 5,200 workers (increased by 144.44%).
  • Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: Change of 4,200 workers (decreased by 45.65%).
  • Agriculture: Change of 2,800 workers (increased by Inf%).
  • Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 2,400 workers (decreased by 17.02%).
  • Manufacturing: Change of 2,300 workers (decreased by 31.08%).

The year-over-year changes provide insights into longer-term shifts, highlighting industries that have grown or declined significantly.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey November, 2025
Economic region

Conclusion

Employment has seen a decline over the year, highlighting some challenges in the job market. Key industries driving the trend are: Construction, Manufacturing, Wholesale and retail trade, Health care and social assistance, Accommodation and food services.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey November, 2025

Employment rate Provincial Comparison

Among 84 small areas in British Columbia, Cranbrook ranks 27th with an employment rate of 58.8%. The provincial range is 43.3% to 68.1%, with half of areas between 51.5% and 60.0% (median: 55.5%).

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey November, 2025

Unemployment rate Provincial Comparison

Among 84 small areas in British Columbia, Cranbrook ranks 6th with an unemployment rate of 5.2%. The provincial range is 4.2% to 10.4%, with half of areas between 5.8% and 7.4% (median: 6.5%).

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey November, 2025

Kootenay Economic region — Labour Market Outlook

Total Job Openings

Most Job Openings

Job openings and employment by occupation and industry for the period 2025-2035

Forecasted number of new job openings in the period 2025-2035

Data source: Labour Market Analytics, Forecasting & Information

Forecasted employment in the period 2025-2035

Data source: Labour Market Analytics, Forecasting & Information

High-opportunity occupations

High opportunity occupations by NOC based on forecasted number of job openings in the period 2025-2035

Data source: Labour Market Analytics, Forecasting & Information

BC workforce supply composition for the period 2025-2035

Forecasted number of new job market entrants in the period 2025-2035

Data source: Labour Market Analytics, Forecasting & Information

These job openings provide a forecast for the demand for labour with the associated education background. This is a demand projection only and is not a measure of how many graduates the B.C. education system needs to produce. These job openings are projected to be supplied through a mix of young B.C. residents starting work after being educated either in B.C. or other jurisdictions, immigrants, migrants from other provinces, or existing residents pursuing additional education.

Planners should take these other possible sources of supply into account when using these projections for post-secondary program planning purposes.

Recruitment and Retention

Remote Work as Incentive

Anticipated to work remotely

Recruitment, Retention and Training Plans

Recruitment, Retention and Training Plans

Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work (geography)

Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work as for recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work (organization size)

Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work as for recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work (organization type)

Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work as for recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training - by business size

Organization's current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training in the next 12 months (Q1 2023)

Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training - by organization type

Organization's current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training in the next 12 months (Q1 2023)

Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training - by geography

Organization's current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training in the next 12 months (Q1 2023)

Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Anticipated Work Arrangement in the Next Three Months

Anticipated Work Arrangement in the Next Three Months

Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely (geography)

Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely over the next three months

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely (organization size)

Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely over the next three months

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely (organization type)

Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely over the next three months

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Anticipated work arrangement - by business size

Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023

Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Anticipated work arrangement - by organization type

Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023

Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Anticipated work arrangement - by geography

Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023

Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions