The rate of joblessness in Canada fell slightly during October to 7.9 per cent, boosted by the creation of more full-time roles, official data suggest.

Figures from Statistics Canada reveal the country's unemployment total has remained around eight per cent for seven consecutive months.

October witnessed a fall in part-time positions of 44,000 compared with September, while full-time jobs jumped by 47,000 over the month.

A slight rise in private jobs was recorded during the period in question, while public sector work remained stable and there was a dip in self-employment.

Numbers of individuals aged 55 and over in work climbed, offsetting a dip amongst those aged 25 to 54, while gains among IT, culture and recreation businesses, construction and agriculture firms were also seen.

Total employment over the year to October has climbed by 2.2 per cent, or 375,000, with the bulk of gains during the first six months of 2010.

Another report from Statistics Canada showed that the number of young people aged between 20 and 24 years old who were not attending school and had not completed high school declined from 16.6 per cent in 1990-91 to 8.5 per cent by 2009-10.

Posted by Fiona Summers