Employment Trends Forecast a Demand for Workers
Published on November 23, 2010
November 23, 2010, Medicine Hat Alberta…Boasting the lowest unemployment rate both provincially and nationally, Medicine Hat and area saw an increase in labour and employment levels in September 2010; an employer survey supports this trend as companies indicated a strong intent to create new positions to meet a forecasted increase in industry activity.
According to the quarterly Economic and Labour Market Analysis report, the Job Bank alone advertised a total of 688 positions in September- with the oil & gas industry making the top five. According to the Petroleum Human Resources Council of Canada it is predicted that by 2020, there will be a need, in the energy sector, for approximately 105,000 workers to support increased activity and retired staff.
The ELMA is a new publication funded by the Economic Development Alliance of Southeast Alberta, Alberta’s Employment and Immigration office, City of Medicine Hat, Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce and the Community Foundation of Medicine Hat & Southeastern Alberta- created to provide the necessary information needed by employers and investors to assist in growing and expanding their businesses.
“It’s encouraging to see the unemployment rate decrease; and beneficial to have monthly and quarterly reports that can aid businesses in making smart human resource and operational choices; the reports are enabling companies to address the forecasted economic trends,” stated Caroline Grover, executive director of the Economic Development Alliance of Southeast Alberta.
The ELMA report identifies that current employers are putting human resource retention programs into place to assist in attracting and keeping highly skilled workers. Training, flexibility, salary and recognition were some of the ways that organizations are putting into place a reliable and long term workforce.
“These reports touch base on local, provincial and national statistics- providing a large scale to compare where Medicine Hat and area stands economically,” said Grover.
For further business assistance or to view the archives of past reports the EDA encourages businesses to go to www.edalliance.ca and then contact the experienced and knowledgeable team available to help your organization meet projected market demand.