Workforce Composition by Status

In the most recent month, Full-time Employment decreased by 3,200 jobs from last month and decreased by 5,800 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Part-time Employment decreased by 800 jobs from last month and increased by 16,200 jobs year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals increased by 800 people from the previous month and increased by 6,500 people compared to last year.

Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate increased by 1.8 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate increased by 1.7 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate increased by 3 percentage points year-over-year.

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels decreased by 3,900 jobs from the previous month and increased by 10,300 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment decreased by 3,900 jobs. Over the last year, the labor market has increased by 10,300 jobs.

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

• Construction: 32,300 workers.
• Manufacturing: 15,500 workers.
• Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: 10,500 workers.

The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Construction, Manufacturing, Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, which together account for 86.1% of the sector's workforce.

Top 3 Industries in Services Sector

• Health care and social assistance: 52,100 workers.
• Wholesale and retail trade: 44,500 workers.
• Professional, scientific and technical services: 26,600 workers.

In the Services sector, Health care and social assistance, Wholesale and retail trade, Professional, scientific and technical services lead employment, representing 52.5% of the sector's workforce.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

• Construction: Change of 2,100 workers (decreased by 6.1%).
• Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing: Change of 2,100 workers (decreased by 12%).
• Educational services: Change of 1,300 workers (increased by 6.84%).
• Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 900 workers (decreased by 1.98%).
• Public administration: Change of 800 workers (decreased by 6.9%).

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

Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year

• Health care and social assistance: Change of 8,200 workers (increased by 18.68%).
• Information, culture and recreation: Change of 7,500 workers (decreased by 37.5%).
• Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 6,400 workers (increased by 16.8%).
• Construction: Change of 5,800 workers (decreased by 15.22%).
• Manufacturing: Change of 5,600 workers (decreased by 26.54%).

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

Conclusion

The overall employment trend is positive, with strong growth in the past year. Key industries driving the trend are: Construction, Wholesale and retail trade, Professional, scientific and technical services, Educational services, Health care and social assistance.

Employment Trends

Total employment in February 2026 was 34,440, showing a steady decrease of 220 from the previous month. Relative to February last year, employment levels grew by 920, showing strength.

Employment Rate Dynamics

The employment rate reached 54.1% in February 2026. This represents a decline of 0.3 percentage points from January (54.4%). Year-over-year, the rate improved by 1.0 percentage points from 53.1%.

Unemployment Rate Trends

The unemployment rate was 6.7% in February 2026, up 0.3 percentage points from January. Compared to February last year (7.1%), the rate has decreased by 0.4 percentage points.

Employment: Regional vs Local Patterns

The strong correlation (0.82) between regional and local employment levels indicates very similar employment patterns at both geographic levels. This suggests that local employment closely follows regional trends.

Employment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

Employment rates show a strong correlation (0.74) between regional and local levels. This indicates strong alignment in workforce participation, suggesting that labor market conditions affect both areas similarly.

Unemployment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

The unemployment rate correlation of 0.25 shows a weak relationship. This points to distinct local unemployment dynamics, indicating that local unemployment follows its own distinct pattern.

Vernon SLA consists of the following communities: Coldstream, North Okanagan B, North Okanagan C, Vernon.