Job seekers in Sarnia-Lambton, Chatham-Kent and Windsor-Essex outnumber available positions by four to one.
The Sarnia Lambton Workforce Development Board says the latest labour market review shows 25,000 people were out of work last year while the number of job openings was just 6,000.
Research Associate Catherine Gordon says certain jobs are more readily available.
"Retail sales person, retail sales manager, financial sales reps, customer service reps, personal support workers, transport truck drivers and mechanics are among the top available jobs," she says.
The Credit Unions of Ontario and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce expect only a 1.4% increase in job growth this year and 1% next year.
