More than one-quarter of the jobs created in Canada last year were generated in Alberta, according to the province’s annual labour market review.
Jobs rose by 43,900 in Alberta, and nationally by 167,000.
The 2001 Annual Alberta Labour Market Review says the province’s employment rate of 69 per cent hit a 20-year high. The employment rate is the number of persons employed as a percentage of the working-age population over 15 years of age.
The review also notes Alberta’s 2001 unemployment rate of 4.6 per cent was the lowest in Canada.
“To keep up with the increasing demand for skilled workers, we are working with our partners in industry and government,” said Alberta Human Resources and Employment Minister Clint Dunford.
“Our strategy is to improve the skill and knowledge levels of Albertans, increase the mobility of labour in Canada and boost the number of qualified immigrants to the province.”
Other highlights of the province’s labour market in 2001 include:
* Full-time jobs grew to more than 1.3 million; part-time jobs remained steady at nearly 300,000.
* Edmonton and Calgary continued to have lower unemployment rates than other Canadian cities at 5.0 and 4.5 per cent, respectively.
* Alberta’s workforce is aging. The number of workers age 45 and older has increased to 33 per cent from 25 per cent in 1990.
* The biggest gains were seen in mining and oil and gas extraction, followed by professional, scientific and technical services.
