The unemployment rate in the Barrie region was 7.6 per cent in the second quarter of 2010, the lowest level in six quarters. It was a decrease of 1.3 percentage points from the previous quarter, the largest quarter-over-quarter decline in a decade.

Full-time employment climbed for the fifth consecutive quarter. On a seasonally adjusted* basis there were 1,400 more full-time jobs in the second quarter of 2010 than there had been in the previous quarter. This gain more than offset a loss of 600 part-time jobs, resulting in a total employment gain of 800 positions in the region.

The increase in full-time employment was a result of hiring in manufacturing and retail trade.

This more than offset the loss of some full-time positions in construction, transportation and warehousing, and in the support services sector (including professional, scientific, education, healthcare, accommodation and food services).

* Seasonal adjustment removes normal seasonal fluctuations.