Automotive - Workforce
The London region boasts a quality labour pool that is second to none in North America. London region companies say that our 231,000 strong labour force offers these strengths:
- Highly Educated: London's educational institutions continue to respond to the needs of industry through programs designed to ensure a steady supply of educated workers from manufacturing engineering to skilled trade and apprenticeship programs.
- Reasonable Wage Costs: Labour costs in London, including benefits, are competitive when compared to other automotive manufacturing jurisdictions.
- Skilled and Experienced: The London manufacturing sector employs approximately 16% of the region's workers, representing 39,800 jobs. Direct employment in the automotive manufacturing sector is 15,800
- Rural in Origin: London draws workers from a large agricultural belt surrounding our southwestern Ontario city.
- Productive: Canadian automotive employees are 7% more productive than their U.S. counterparts on a labour-hour per vehicle basis.
- Low Employee Turnover: Workers are loyal to their employers and demonstrate their commitment with a low turnover rate. Average tenure for Ontario manufacturing jobs is 9 years.
- Unionization: The labour force in the London region is generally not predisposed to working under a collective agreement. At present, 36% of all manufacturing employees, including automotive OEM's, are working under collective agreements6. Only 27% of London automotive parts companies are operating under collective agreements.
London workers are partners in the continuing success of our automotive sector and recognize the long term need to remain competitive with other automotive manufacturing jurisdictions.
