Hastings County Community and Human Services Director Erin Rivers (File photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
The Hastings-Quinte area is sitting above the provincial average in terms of the number of people on Ontario Works benefits who earn some money from employment.
The number of people on unemployment benefits in Hastings County, including Belleville and Quinte West, is just over 2,800.
Director Erin Rivers reported to the Community and Human Services committee recently that, as of September of this year, 19.4% of them reported earnings from being on the job, which is nearly 7% higher than the provincial average.
She says 34 cases left the program that same month, after finding jobs.
The local Ontario Works caseload breaks down to 1,611 in Belleville, 639 in Quinte West and 585 in Hastings County.
Rivers’ report indicates a slight decrease is usually experienced in the fall as some people leave the program to begin post-secondary educational programs.
The committee had asked for the report in an effort to assist municipalities in responding to current labour market vacancies within the communities.
