Thinking of moving to Halifax, Nova Scotia? Just as there are more opportunities in everything from finance to corporate catering in Toronto for Ontarians looking for work, Halifax performs the same function for Maritimers. The chances of finding a job in Halifax are much greater than they are anywhere else in the Maritime Provinces. So how will you fare in the job market and what jobs are likely to be open? Use our article as a jumping off point in your job search.
The unemployment rate in Halifax is currently 6.1%. This figure is accurate to April of 2010 and includes all professions, from online couples therapy to offshore drilling. This is much better than the rate for the province of Nova Scotia as a whole, which is 8.5%. The provincial rate is only slightly worse than the Canadian unemployment average for the same time, which was 8.1%, so Halifax is an excellent choice for job seekers.
As for what sectors are most likely to have open jobs, Halifax is sort of a jack of all trades when it comes to the economy. As a provincial capitol, public service employs a big chunk of the workforce. Dozens of provincial and federal offices are located in Halifax, which in turn creates opportunities in business and law, so you'll have decent luck here if you want to try a class action suit in Canada. Halifax is also the center of government for the Halifax Regional Municipality, which includes Sackville, Bedford, and Dartmouth.
Also a strong industry for Halifax is national defense. There are three armed forces bases in the municipality, one each for the army, navy, and air force, though the navy base at Stadacona is the largest of the three. It's the hub of Canada's east coast fleet because of the excellent harbor, which also makes Halifax a major player in shipping. If you've got well developed muscles from doing landscaping in Brantford, you might find a job at the Port of Halifax.
Jobs are harder to come by in the most popular fields, such as education and health care, because so many professionals want to live in the city and take advantage of the excellent facilities. The city is also popular for the arts, so if you're into photography or African music this is the best Maritime choice. It's also a good place to come if you're interested in getting into the offshore industries in natural gas and oil.
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