VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – If you are looking for work, we have some good news for you because Canada added 7,700 new jobs last month, slightly more than what economists predicted.

But unemployment rates rose sharply in BC. Statistics Canada says our jobless rate rose 1.2 percentage points to 7.4 per cent. This is partially because of young people; it’s grad season, so we’re seeing more of them trying desperately to find work.

The youth unemployment rate is now 14.3 per cent, up from 13 per cent from last month. Students and employers know it isn’t a good market and it’s even harder to find a job when you have no experience.

“[They're encouraged to] volunteer as early as possible, looking at engaging with some of the many university clubs, field schools and the exchanges,” says Tony Botelho with SFU Career Services.

Employment among young people is roughly the same as it was in July 2009, when the labour market downturn hit a major low.

“About 50 per cent of university grads, two years out, say they’re not working in areas directly related to their field of study. So, it’s 50/50. Sometimes you go on different paths and the world is unpredictable,” notes Botelho.

The job count was little changed last month, as 600 full-time jobs were added and 700 part-time positions were lost. Statistics Canada says over the 12 previous months, employment in BC grew by 1.9 per cent, above the national average.

For the fourth month in a row, Canadian employment rose slightly among men 25 and up, but was unchanged for women around the same age.