Learning From One Another: Labour Markets in Nunavut
As key industries in Nunavut recover from the pandemic, the economy is expected to grow over the next 20 years. However, skills mismatches and other challenges continue to limit the capacity of the resident labour force to satisfy labour market demands.
What is the central issue impacting Nunavut’s overall labour market? Are Inuit people represented equally in the federal and territorial public service workforce? What skills gaps exist in labour market outcomes between Inuit and non-Indigenous peoples? What is the reliance on out-of-territory workers, and is this dependency growing?
Key insights
The public sector is Nunavut’s largest employer, with a large proportion of workers employed in Iqaluit. Inuit represent 84 percent of the population in the territory but make up only 57 per cent of employees in the federal and territorial government in the territory.
There is an opportunity to increase employment among Nunavut residents in jobs in the construction and mining industries, which are primarily staffed by out-of-territory workers.
For Inuit, directing resources toward supporting entrepreneurs operating in a Northern and remote context can support participation in the economy outside of dominant sectors.
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