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Whats going on at WorkBC Cowichan?

Weekly Newsletter

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The Weekly

Cowichan & Ladysmith's Labour Market News

Friday, August 14, 2026

Employment Workshops & Events

A table of workshops & events: Aug 17: Career Decision Making Workshop is 1-3pm. Aug 18: Career Cafe is 10-11am.

A woman working on a laptop looks up thoughtfully. Text: Career Decision Making Workshop. Join us to explore career interests & options, personal assessments, and goal setting. Aug 17 from 1-3pm at WorkBC Duncan.

A smiling woman with a mop cleaning a hospital room. Text: Meet the hiring team from Island Health. Aug 26 from 12-1pm at WorkBC Duncan.

Graphic of a sign reading "Job Fair". Text: Inclusive Job Fair in Duncan! You're invited to meet local inclusive employers. Sept 24 from 12 to 2pm at Duncan United Church.

Email or call to register for WorkBC Workshops & Events!
centre-duncan@workbc.ca
250-748-9880

Labour Market News

Report calls for five new supportive housing villages in Cowichan Valley
A new report from the Cowichan Coalition to End Homelessness is calling for five new village-style supportive housing developments, along with expanded shelter space, supportive housing and homelessness prevention programs, to help address homelessness across the Cowichan Valley.

Debate grows over Cowichan Bay estuary restoration project
Farmers, politicians and nearby residents gathered at Cowichan Bay Farm this week to voice opposition to a marshland restoration project that would eventually remove a failing dike and allow salt water to return to roughly 173 acres of land.

Cowichan Valley Citizen employees to begin strike action Thursday
Employees at the Cowichan Valley Citizen newspaper are set to begin limited strike action Thursday after months of bargaining between their union and Black Press failed to produce a new agreement. Editorial, circulation and sales employees represented by the Victoria-Vancouver Island Newspaper Guild, CWA Canada Local 30223 (VVING), are taking job action beginning Aug. 13.

Harmac pulp mill receives $5.5 million federal investment
Nanaimo Forest Products, which operates the Harmac Pacific pulp mill in south Nanaimo, is receiving $5.5 million in federal funds to help the mill navigate trade disruptions and seize new opportunities.

Youth unemployment is falling across Canada
Economists have pointed to a myriad of factors as to why businesses have been straying away from hiring youth, including the economic uncertainty that comes with the U.S. trade war and its tariffs, inflation and the increasing cost of living, and a surging labour supply from non-permanent residents and experienced workers creating increased competition.

‘The trades are having a real moment’: More young workers choosing this path
For decades, young Canadians were told that a university degree and a white-collar job offered the best route to a stable, middle-class life. Trades were for those who didn’t have the grades for higher education. That perception is starting to change. Double-digit youth unemployment and concerns that artificial intelligence will cull many office jobs are pushing more to take a fresh look at carpentry, electrical work, plumbing and other trades.