Oh no, not another survey…..!

How do you get the latest, most up to date, labour market information?  You rely on Statistics Canada's monthly labour force survey of course. Well at least that's what we've always done up until now.

There's no problem with the data really except that it doesn't tell us much and in today's world we need to keep our finger on the pulse of the workplace. So the Workforce Planning Board is implementing a local monthly Labour Force Survey for Waterloo Wellington and Dufferin. This 2 minute survey will provide valuable, insight on actual job gains and losses, rather than just net figures. It will also help us to understand which industries and related specific occupations are being impacted.

There's also an added bonus. This same survey is also being conducted across SW Ontario in partnership with other local planning boards and so we eventually hope to be able to provide broader regional reports as well as direct comparisons with other areas.

The initial survey found at the link below has been extended till tomorrow, Thursday, May 13 to provide MIN readers the opportunity to complete it.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SG57BGH

A brief report on the local monthly results will be distributed electronically between surveys and will indicate the dates when the next survey will be available for completion.

I know you're all surveyed out, but this really is efficient, quick (it really does just take a couple of minutes) and will establish benchmarks for all sorts of workforce development related activities. I really hope you'll choose to participate, but if not this time, perhaps after you've had a chance to see the results later in May.

If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact me at carol@workforceplanningboard.com