Workforce Collective’s latest infographics highlight the shifting dynamics across four key Niagara industries: Construction, Health Care & Social Assistance, Manufacturing, and Tourism.
Construction: Steady Growth and Demand for Skilled Trades
Niagara’s construction sector continues its upward trajectory, with business counts reaching 4,922 in 2024 (+6% year-over-year). Employment shows a 10-year growth rate of 16%, with forecasted growth into 2030.
Common industry job postings include retail salespersons, cashiers, and plumbers, reflecting both customer-facing and skilled trades roles. In-demand skills for the sector include construction, driving, and communication skills, with experience typically ranging from 2–5+ years.
The sector’s export strength lies in residential building construction (33.2%) and building equipment contracting (20.2%), showing its critical role in local and provincial economies.
Health Care & Social Assistance: Rapid Expansion Amid High Demand
Health care is Niagara’s fastest-growing sector, with 3,357 businesses in 2024, up 10% from 2023. Employment has surged 28% over the last decade, with strong growth expected to continue.
Job postings are dominated by home/personal support workers, nurses, and medical administrative assistants, underscoring persistent labour shortages. Demand for interpersonal, communication, and management skills is particularly high.
Exports highlight the sector’s economic weight, particularly in ambulatory health services (32.4%) and nursing/residential care (27.9%).
Manufacturing: Stable but Facing Long-Term Pressures
Manufacturing remains an economic anchor, though employment has declined by 7% over the past decade. Despite this, 1,196 businesses were active in 2024, showing a modest 4% year-over-year increase.
Key in-demand roles include automotive technicians, truck drivers, and specialized cleaners. The most in demand skills employers highlight in their job posts are communication, customer service, and management, alongside technical capabilities like attention to detail and winemaking (reflecting Niagara’s unique strengths).
Exports are the sector’s backbone, with transportation equipment manufacturing (24.5%) and primary metals (19.6%) leading the way. Notably, manufacturing accounts for 44.8% of all Niagara exports—the largest share among the four profiled sectors.
Tourism: Rebounding with Strong Employer Demand
Tourism has rebounded sharply post-pandemic, with 3,350 tourism-related businesses in 2024, a 9% increase over 2023. Seasonal employment remains significant, with estimates ranging from about 30,000–36,000 workers across late 2024 and early 2025.
The most common job postings include food service supervisors, cooks, servers, and hotel front desk staff, reflecting tourism’s heavy reliance on hospitality roles. Employers report the greatest demand for interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills, with most positions requiring 1–4 years of experience.
Top hiring employers include McDonald’s, Canadian Niagara Hotels, and Niagara Casinos, highlighting both local and multinational anchors in the region. Exports are strongest in traveller accommodation (32.9%) and restaurants (29.5%), reflecting the sector’s role in attracting both domestic and international visitors.
Sector Profiles
To learn more about the recent developments in Niagara’s key sectors, check out our Sector Profiles.
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