B.C.'s primary industries added jobs in September with an increase of 8,400 jobs in forestry, fishing, mining and gas extraction, and 4,200 jobs in construction.

Overall, B.C. gained 2,900 full-time jobs in September. This gain was off-set by a decrease of 8,200 part-time jobs, resulting in an overall loss of 5,400 jobs.

Compared to last month, there has been an increase of 12,800 private-sector jobs. Private-sector gains have also been strong over the last five months. Since April of this year, private-sector employment is up 48,900 jobs.

The unemployment rate is now at 6.7 per cent, a slight increase of 0.1 per cent but still below the national average of 6.9 per cent. In fact, all regional unemployment rates are 7.1 per cent or lower across the province - compared with a year ago when the peak regional rate was 10.5 per cent.

Regionally, since September of last year, employment is up by 6,200 jobs in the Vancouver Island and Coast region; up 5,900 jobs in the Kootenay region; and up 2,900 jobs in the North Coast and Nechako region. Employment is down by 8,100 jobs in the Lower Mainland/Southwest.

The youth (aged 15-24) unemployment rate is down to 11.4 per cent in September from 13.1 per cent in August.

In addition, the average hourly wage for youth was up by 4.7 per cent in September. The average hourly wage rate for B.C. in September was also up by 2.5 per cent compared with September 2012.

Quick Facts:

When the BC Jobs Plan was introduced:

• 2,270,300 people were employed in the province. As of today, 2,309,800 people are employed in B.C. - an increase of 39,500.
• The unemployment rate in the province was 7.5 per cent. As of today, the unemployment rate is 6.7 per cent, below the national average of 6.9 per cent.

Media Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
250 387-2799