Employment Share by Occupation
Over the past several years Faro has experienced certain characteristics typical of a mining town. People come to Faro for work. When there is no work, many move out. In 1996, when the mine was still operating, labour market participation was very high and unemployment was low. By 2001, with many people moving away, labour market participation of the remaining people had slipped a little, to just below the Yukon pattern. Unemployment had increased to almost 16 percent, compared with just less than 12 percent Yukon wide. The local impact of the loss of mining jobs - while significant - was reduced by the fact that many people left Faro when they no longer had work.
By 2003, only 36 people were claiming employment insurance. This number is down from the 200 seen in 1997 and 1998 just after the mine ceased operation.
The 2001 Census reported that young people in Faro (those in the 15-to-24 age group) were less likely to be in the labour force than youth Yukon-wide; and that they were experiencing difficulty in finding work locally. Youth in Faro had an unemployment rate more than double the average community unemployment rate in 2001. Information from the community indicates that the employment situation for young persons in Faro has improved since 2001, with more young people in the labour force and better access to jobs, both seasonal and year-round.
When the mine was in operation, a slightly higher proportion of work in Faro was full-time, full year than in the Yukon as whole. Since the mine closure the proportion of people working on a full-time, full year basis has dropped to 32 percent, compared to 46 percent Yukon-wide.
As of 2001 there was far less self-employment in Faro than in other parts of the Yukon: about 8 percent of Faro's total work activity, compared to the Yukon self-employment rate of 13 percent.
The community's proximity to wildlife viewing and wilderness provides opportunities for jobs and accommodation services related to hiking, canoe trips, cross-country and back-country skiing, snowmobiling, fly-in fishing and hunting. These economic opportunities have been co-promoted with the tourism attractions and facilities along the Robert Campbell Highway. The town is building a boat launch to encourage recreational canoeists paddling down the Pelly River to stop over in Faro. People gather every spring to view Sandhill crane and Fannin sheep.
In 2001, average employment income in Faro was reported as $23,200 - lower than the average earnings of $31,500 for all workers in the Yukon as a whole. For those working full-time, full year, average earnings were close to $38,000, compared to the Yukon wide figure of $44,600. The 2001 occupational distribution of employment is now far closer to the patterns seen Yukon-wide.
Government - at the federal, territorial and municipal level - is the largest employer in the community. It encompasses the Town of Faro, Del Van Gorder School, the RCMP, nursing station, Social Services office, airport, Yukon Housing, Yukon Energy, Territorial Agent and Canada Post.
People in Faro are found in management, administrative, government, social services occupations in much the same proportion as they are generally in the Yukon. The proportion working in sales, service, arts and recreation are a little lower than the Yukon-wide proportions, and there is still more emphasis on primary industry occupations than on average in the Yukon. The community of Faro is still in transition and moving away from being solely a mining town.
