Labour force challenges continue in the arts

But there is a significant shift in the job vacancy rate

This is my third post regarding job vacancies in the arts. My previous ones were published in June and October, showing that there were historically high job vacancy rates in the broader arts, heritage, and entertainment sector. New data were published on December 19, 2022, relating to the third quarter of 2022 (i.e., July to September). For today’s post, I’ve added a brief analysis of labour force challenges reported by organizations and businesses in the arts, heritage, and entertainment.

Many organizations report challenges in recruiting and retaining staff, but there has been a significant shift in the job vacancy rate in the most recent data.

Note: Arts, heritage, and entertainment (which Statistics Canada refers to as “arts, entertainment, and recreation”) include performing arts, spectator sports, and related industries, heritage institutions, as well as amusement, gambling, and recreation industries.

Statistics Canada publishes job vacancy data for payroll employees only.

Many organizations are facing labour force challenges

In the third quarter of 2022, 35% of organizations in the arts, heritage, and entertainment expected labour force shortages to be an obstacle for them over the following three months. About one-quarter (23%) expected retaining skilled employees to be a challenge. (Source: Statistics Canada. Table 33-10-0534-01  Business or organization obstacles over the next three months, third quarter of 2022)

The following graph shows that the staffing challenges have likely worsened. Among those arts, heritage, and entertainment organizations with labour force challenges, a majority (54%) indicate that it has become more challenging to recruit and retain staff over the past year. Only 8% believe that recruitment and retention challenges have lessened, while 38% believe that the level of challenge has remained about the same.

The remainder of today’s analysis examines the shift in the national job vacancy rate, similarities and differences across the country, comparisons with other sectors of the economy, and the average wage offered for open positions.