Workforce
A skilled and loyal workforce
Pictou County has an industrious and dedicated workforce. The last century saw manufacturing shape our economy and today Pictou County can boast a depth of skilled workers, including one of the largest pools of industrial fabricators in the province. Detailed labour force and skill set analysis is available at Target Nova Scotia.
Quick Stats:
- Participation rate – 60.5%
- Employment rate – 54.8%
- Unemployment rate – 9.5%
Labour Pool
According to the current census the total population over the age of 15 is 38,410 of this 18,700 or 48.7% have a post secondary certificate, diploma or degree.
Earnings
The median earnings of persons over 15 who worked the full year, full time is $35,300 and the median earnings of all wage earners over the age of 15 is $20,762.
Pictou County Labour Force Activity, 2006*
| Labour Force Indicators | Males | Females |
|
Total Population (Age 15+) |
18,330 |
20,080 |
|
Employed |
11,055 |
9,985 |
|
Employment Rate |
60.3% |
49.7% |
|
Unemployment Rate |
10.5% |
8.4% |
|
Participation Rate |
67.4% |
54.3% |
|
Total Employment Rate |
54.8% |
|
|
Total Unemployment Rate |
9.5% |
|
|
Total Participation Rate |
60.5% |
|
* According to the 2006 Census, labour force is comprised of the portion of the population that is, the civilian non-institutional population, 15 years of age and over who are employed or unemployed and actively seeking work.
Pictou County Occupations by Major Group, 2006
|
Management |
1,675 |
|
Business, Finance, Administration |
3,365 |
|
Natural & Applied Sciences |
1,110 |
|
Health Occupations |
1,495 |
|
Social Sciences, Education, Government, Religion |
1,600 |
|
Arts, Culture, Recreation, & Sport |
450 |
|
Sales & Service |
5,850 |
|
Trades, Transportation, & Equipment Operation |
4,540 |
|
Primary Industries, Processing, Manufacturing & Utilities |
2,825 |
Source: 2006 Census of Canada – Statistics Canada
According to Statistics Canada, a larger percentage of Pictou County’s labour force (33.9%) is employed in the goods producing sector. This sector includes; manufacturing, construction, and resource-based companies. This is compared to only 22.6% in Nova Scotia and 25.1% in all of Canada. Out of this 33.8%, 26.8% of the total labour force is employed in the manufacturing and construction sector alone.
Top Pictou County Occupations, 2007
|
Sales and Service |
4,661 |
|
Trades, Transport, Equipment Operations & Related |
3,407 |
|
Business, Finance, and Admin. |
2,493 |
|
Unique to Processing, Manufacturing & Utilities |
1,508 |
|
Management |
1,418 |
|
Social Science, Education, Government Service & Religion |
1,208 |
|
Health Occupations |
1,077 |
|
Unique to Primary Industry |
806 |
|
Natural & Applied Sciences |
644 |
|
Art, Culture & Sport |
260 |
Source: FP Markets, 2007
Employment by Sex and Work Activity, 2006
|
|
Pictou County |
Nova Scotia |
Canada |
|||
|
|
Male |
Female |
Male |
Female |
Male |
Female |
|
% of Full Time Labour Force |
57.3% |
42.7% |
55.3% |
44.7% |
57.5% |
42.5% |
|
Average Income |
$37,511 |
$22,935 |
$38,556 |
$25,420 |
$45,580 |
$29,255 |
|
Total Labour Force (FT & PT) |
23,255 |
476,125 |
17,146,135 |
|||
|
Average Income Households |
$53,371 |
$57,366 |
$69,548 |
|||
Source: 2006 Census of Canada- Statistics Canada
Nova Scotia has a well-educated population and Pictou County compares favourably to the provincial average.
The population of Pictou County has been attaining higher levels of education over the last several years. From 2001-2006, the population aged 15 and over decreased by 270. However, the number of students gaining high school diplomas, post-secondary education and University degrees in this time frame has increased by 1,495.
In 2006, over 40% of Pictou County’s population had a trade or college certificate/diploma, resulting in a well trained and highly skilled workforce in Pictou County.
|
|
Pictou County |
Nova Scotia |
||
|
|
Total |
% |
Total |
% |
|
Total population Aged 25-64 |
25,535 |
100% |
507,745 |
100% |
|
No high school diploma |
5,200 |
20.4% |
94,280 |
18.7% |
|
High school &/or some post-secondary |
5,485 |
21.5% |
106,055 |
21.0% |
|
Trade certificate/diploma |
4,080 |
16.0% |
61,715 |
12.2% |
|
College certificate/diploma |
6,540 |
25.6% |
111,510 |
22.0% |
|
University certificate/diploma/degree |
4,230 |
16.5% |
125,220 |
24.7% |
Source: 2006 Census of Canada -Statistics Canada
Major Field of Study, 2006
|
Pictou County |
Total |
Male |
Female |
|
Total Population 15 years and over |
38,410 |
18,330 |
20,080 |
|
No post Secondary certificate, diploma or degree |
19,705 |
9,260 |
10,445 |
|
Education |
1,605 |
405 |
1,200 |
|
Visual, performing arts & communications technologies |
225 |
60 |
165 |
|
Humanities |
545 |
230 |
310 |
|
Social & behaviourial sciences and law |
1,055 |
280 |
775 |
|
Business management & public administration |
3,845 |
875 |
2,965 |
|
Physical & life sciences and technologies |
315 |
205 |
110 |
|
Mathematics, computer & information sciences |
710 |
325 |
385 |
|
Architecture, engineering & related technologies |
5,630 |
5,385 |
245 |
|
Agriculture, natural resources & conservation |
5,630 |
5,385 |
245 |
|
Health, parks, recreation & fitness |
2,840 |
275 |
2,560 |
|
Personal, protective & transportation services |
1,555 |
720 |
840 |
Source: 2006 Census of Canada - Statistics Canada