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THE BRUSSELS POST, DECEMBER 7, 1977 u.m,,17
Skilled .workers seem scarce
Unemployment in Huron
County is running at a
comparatively low figure stacked
against provincial or even federal
unemployment averages.
Specific statistics are not
available for Huron ToUnty but
regional figures indicate an
average unemployment rate of.
4,1 per cent in the Lake Erie
region. The region takes in the
area of London, : Si. Thomas,
Woodstock, . Tillsonburg,
Goderich and surrounding area.
In the region unemployment
was 4.4 per cent in August, rose
to 4.5 per cent in September and
has dropped to 3.9 per. cent in
October, The figures are not
surprisingly low for an
agricultural based region but the
only other regional statistic to
compare comes from Midwestern,
Ontario in the Oshawa area where
the October average was 4.3 per
cent.
Ben Hey, m tanager of the
Canada Manpower Centre in
Goderich, said the. economic
picture in the' area is not gloomy
but more probably reflects the
general economic picture across
the country,
The Huron County area is
served by the main Goderich
Manpower office and a branch. in
Exeter, Hey said that county
unemployment figures rose to 967
at the end of October as compared
with 905 at the same time last
year.
"The figures don't mean that
much since month by month
figures differ," he said. "You
have to look at the yearly figure,
The Goderich area is holding up
well and the figures are good
compared to other years or
compared toother provinces."
He also indicated that .the
winter months were notoriously
slow for employment mainly due
to the absence of construction.
But a sagging construction
industry has had little to offer at
any time this. year.
Hey explained that the
unemployed are willing to work at
any job and the bulk of the
opportunities in the Goclerich
office generally call for waitresses
and other, related jobs.
"What we can't get right now
are skilled mechanics," Hey
remarked. "You need a skill right
now to find a job and we have had
requests for welders, mechanics
and carpenters." '',••
The job market has been
especially depressing for young
people and. even more so for
young people without a skill. And
training' programs have been
especially helpful in this area.
The Canada Manpower
Industrial Training' Program, a
cost sharing program between
Manpower and private
employers, has filled positions for
which skilled workers were not
available, filled vacancies that
have resulted from expansion or
provided skilled jobs for
employees who. may have been •
laid off. otherwise,
Last year in. Huron County 120
people were trained throught he
the industrial training program
and the number of people
involved in the program this year
is expected to reach 200. The
training program mainly deals
with skilled trades in the 'metal
working industry, such as welders
and machinists but in this area
has expanded to farm and auto
parts trades.
The. Canada Employment and
Emigration Commission has also
announced a new program (JET)
aimed at providing jobs for young
people and expanding the labor
force to meet skilled
requirements.
Under the program employers
are subsidized 50 per cent of an
employee's wage for a period of
26 weeks and prospective
employees are selected for jobs to
suit their interests and aptitudes
and given an orientation course to
prepare them for the work force.
Also in the County11.6 men have
been employed through a
provincial rur al beautijfic' a.trion
project. The men will be
employed in the provincially
funded program until next
March.
Huron County Development
officer Spence Cummings said
that although there is a need for
more industry in the county •
people here are not feeling the
effects of unemployment as
compared to other regions or
provinces.
He cited the fact that the base
of the jobs in the county are
-related to agriculture as the major
contributing factor to high
employment.
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CEMETERY LETTERING
Box 158, WINGHAM JOHN MALLICK
K, December 4 is the
Tell me agrainhoW
Ummploppent
urance qualification
are"c
New legislation has changed some of the
d rules of our UI prograrn.
Parliament has decided that people who live
eas of high unemployment will be given
ain advantages over those who live where jobs
more plentiful.
Which means that, as of December 4, you'll
more insurable work weeks to qualify for
mployment Insurance benefits,
•
"10 to 14 weeks, depending
here you live, right?"
Right again.
In regions of:low unemployment, claimants
need up to 14 weeks of insurable employment
et UI benefits. This will only happen in
es where it's easier to get and keep a job.
In regions of high unemployment, claimants
need as little as 10 weeks to qualify:
But until December 4, the entrance
frement remains at eight weeks wherever you
"How about the two week
tingperiod?'''
No change, The basic two week waiting
remains the same everywhere.
And so do the rules on the Waiting period
a claimant has left his or her job for no
reason or been fired for misconduct.
en cases; a claimant mAy have to -Wait up
ht weeks from, when employment ends
benefits start.
"Has the amount of the
benefits changed?"
Absolutely not. The UI benefit rate
stays at two-thirds of your average weekly
insurable earnings.
The maximum is $147, less tax.
"Anything else
I should know?"
The maximum time for which anyone
may receive benefits has changed slightly.
The old maximum was 51 weeks. Now it's
50 weeks.
But since September 11, the total
number of weeks for which a' claimant qualifies
has more closely reflected the unemployment
rate in his.or her Kgron,
Right now, we measure unemployment by
dividing Canada into 16 economic regions. Later,
in 1978, we will fine-tune the program to 54
regions so that UI will be even more closely
related to the local labour market conditions.
Also, there's maternity, sickness and age 65
benefits.
Previously, sickness benefits were only
payable during the first 39 weeks of the claim.
Now therare payable at any time during the
entire benefit period.
Maternity benefits of 15 weeks and the
special one-time benefit (equal to three weeks'
benefits) at age 65 remains the same.
The same people still pay for the program in
the same proportions, and the types of
employment insurable for UI remain the same,
too.
And; as explained in the box below, you
still go to the familiar locations for both UI offices
and Canada Manpower Centres. Watch for
changes in your area.
The Unemployment Insurance Commission and the
Department of anpower and Immigration have become
the Canada Employment and immigration Commission.
For a tim e you'll still see our local offices identified as
Unemployment Insurance offices or Canada Manpower
Centres. When they're together in one location, they'll b
called Canada Employment Centres.
with people
who want to work.
4110 Employment and
imMigratibn Canada
tehmoi et
Inimigration Canada
Bud Cullen
Sud Cullen
Minimer Whittre