Calgary & Area Labour Market Report First Quarter 2008
Alberta Employment and Immigration
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction ...... 4 Organization of the Report...... 4 Executive Summary...... 5 The Economy...... 12 Global Economy...... 12 U.S. Economy...... 13 Canadian Economy...... 16 Contributory Influences ...... 17 Alberta Economy...... 20 Contributory Influences ...... 21 Calgary Region Economy ...... 27 Contributory Influences ...... 27 Trends in the Labour Market ...... 31 Canada ...... 31 Q1 2008 ...... 31 Alberta ...... 34 Q1 2008 ...... 34 Calgary Census Metropolitan Area (CMA)...... 37 Q1 2008 ...... 37 Community Profiles ...... 39 City of Airdrie ...... 39 Population ...... 39 Education ...... 40 Labour Force ...... 41 Housing ...... 42 Airdrie News ...... 42 Other Communities in the Calgary Region...... 43 Housing ...... 43 Inventory of Projects ...... 45 Community News ...... 47 Calgary & Area Employer Survey ...... 49 Summary of Q1 2008 Survey Results: Companies with 100+ Employees...... 49 Company Profiles ...... 49 Recruitment...... 49 Retention...... 50 Supplemental Question...... 50 Labour Market Information Review...... 95 Labour Market News Highlights ...... 95 Volume 10. Issue 1. January 2008 ...... 95 Volume 10. Issue 2. February 2008...... 95 Volume 10. Issue 3. March 2008 ...... 96 Employer Labour Market News Highlights...... 96 Volume 3. Issue 1. January 2008...... 96 Volume 3. Issue 2. March 2008...... 97 Job Ad Analysis ...... 98
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Job Bank ...... 98 Calgary Herald classifieds ...... 99 Monster.ca ...... 101 Appendix A ...... 103 Survey Methodology ...... 103 Vacant Positions by Industry...... 103
Disclaimer Alberta Employment and Immigration has made every effort to ensure that the information contained in this report is reliable, but makes no guarantee of its accuracy or completeness. The user of any information in this report accepts full responsibility and risk of loss resulting from decisions made by the user.
Statistics Canada information is used with the permission of Statistics Canada. Users are forbidden to copy the data and redisseminate them, in an original or modified form, for commercial purposes, without permission from Statistics Canada. Information on the availability of the wide range of data from Statistics Canada can be obtained from Statistics Canada's Regional Offices, its World Wide Web site at www.statcan.ca, and its toll-free access number 1-800-263-1136.
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
INTRODUCTION Alberta Employment and Immigration provides career and labour market information products and resources, with both a provincial and local/regional focus, in order that Albertans have the skills, supports and information they need to succeed in the labour market. This report provides labour market information and analysis for use by Albertans in learning about the labour market and career planning; by employers and industry for use in understanding and addressing labour market issues; and by the Alberta Employment and Immigration Calgary Region for use in strategic planning for programs and services.
ORGANIZATION OF THE REPORT This report contains the following information: Economic Overview – The Calgary regionʼs economy is influenced by global economic conditions, and by economic drivers in the Canadian economy and elsewhere in Alberta. This section provides information on economic activity in the first quarter of 2008, as well as outlooks (where available) for the global, U.S., Canada, Alberta and Calgary region economies. Trends in the Labour Market – This section examines labour market information for Canada, Alberta and the Calgary Census Metropolitan Area (CMA). The information provided in this section is based upon Statistics Canadaʼs Labour Force Survey. Community Profiles – This section highlights some of the happenings in the first quarter of 2008 in the communities surrounding Calgary, along with a more detailed profile of the city of Airdrie. Calgary and Area Employer Survey – This section highlights findings from a survey conducted of Calgary and area companies with 100 or more employees. Labour Market Information Review – The Calgary & Area Labour Market News, published monthly, provides current labour market information and analysis geared toward job seekers. The Calgary & Area Employer Labour Market News, published bi-monthly, is geared toward employers, business and industry. This section highlights the content in the January, February and March 2008 issues.
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Economy Global Economy Global growth is projected to moderate to 4.1 per cent in 2008, from an estimated 4.9 per cent in 2007, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Projected growth in the United States and Japan in 2008 has been lowered to 1.5 per cent year over year, from an estimated 2.2 per cent and 1.9 per cent in 2007 respectively. Growth in Western Europe is projected to ease to 1.6 per cent in 2008, down from 2.6 per cent in 2007.
• Growth in Developing Asia is also forecast to slow from an estimated 9.6 per cent in 2007 to 8.6 per cent in 2008, with Chinaʼs growth expected to ease slightly from an estimated 11.4 per cent in 2007 to 10.0 per cent in 2008.
• The IMF also revised its 2008 growth rate projections for Canada to 1.8 per cent, from 2.0 per cent. • Estimates for 2007 indicate that Canada ranks as the worldʼs 13th largest economy, with a 2 per cent share of world output while the U.S. and China rank as the worldʼs largest economies, with a 21.4 per cent and 10.9 per cent share of world output respectively. U.S. Economy The mortgage meltdown, credit crisis, and deteriorating housing market have been major factors in the slowdown in U.S. economic growth.
• Housing starts to date have fallen 55 per cent from a peak of 2,265,000 in January 2006. • According to the U.S. Census Bureau, privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits were down 3 per cent in January 2008, compared to the previous month, and down 33 per cent year over year.
• Sales of new single-family homes fell 33.9 per cent year over year in January 2008, and the estimate of new houses for sale at the end of January 2008 was 482,000, representing a supply of 9.9 months at the current sales rate.
• In its 2007 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, RealtyTrac, an online marketplace for foreclosure properties, reported over 2.2 million foreclosure filings were reported on 1,285,873 properties in the U.S. in 2007, a 75 per cent increase from 2006. Nationally, 1.03 per cent of all households in the U.S. were in various stages of foreclosure in 2007. Canadian Economy The Canadian economy grew at an annualized rate of 2.7 per cent in 2007, compared with 2.8 per cent in 2006. Consumer spending, the main contributor to growth, was up 4.7 per cent in 2007, supported by low interest rates, and strong income and employment growth. Real GDP growth in Canada is projected to range between 1.1 per cent and 2.2 per cent in 2008, and 1.8 per cent and 3.0 per cent in 2009.
• The Canadian dollar averaged $1.00 U.S. during the first quarter of 2008 and is forecast to average between 91.0 cents US and 105.0 cents US by the end of 2008. CIBC World Markets is forecasting the loonie will remain above parity on average against the U.S. dollar in 2008.
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
• In Canada, the all-items Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 1.8 per cent in February 2008, compared to February 2007, a substantially slower rate of increase from the year over year change of 2.2 per cent reported in January 2008. Most of the deceleration was a result of easing gasoline and car prices.
• On March 4, 2008, the Bank of Canada lowered its target for the overnight rate to 3.50 per cent. According to the Bank, the U.S. economy is likely to experience a more prolonged and deeper slowdown than previously projected. The Bankʼs next scheduled date for announcing any changes to the overnight target rate is April 22, 2008.
• Canadaʼs population increased by 52,400 between October 1, 2007 and January 1, 2008, and reached an estimated total of 33,143,600.
Alberta Economy The most recent available forecasts of real GDP growth in Alberta range between 2.1 per cent and 3.3 per cent in 2008, and 2.7 per cent and 3.3 per cent in 2009. The four western provinceʼs economies are expected to be the nationʼs best performers in 2008.
• The price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil rose significantly in 2007 to an overall average of $72.32 U.S. per barrel (peaking at an average $94.63 U.S. per barrel in November 2007), an increase of 9.2 per cent from the average price of $66.22 U.S. per barrel in 2006. According to the Energy Information Administrationʼs Short-Term Energy and Summer Fuels Outlook, WTI crude oil prices are projected to average $101.00 U.S. per barrel in 2008, and $92.50 U.S. per barrel in 2009.
• The price of natural gas declined in 2007 to an overall average of $5.88 C$ per GJ (peaking at an average $6.92 C$ per GJ in March 2007), a decrease of 5.5 per cent from the average price of $6.22 C$ per GJ in 2006. For the first two months of 2008, natural gas prices averaged $6.46 C$ per GJ – down 1.4 per cent from an average $6.55 C$ per GJ in the first two months of 2007.
• In 2007, consumer prices rose on average by 5.0 per cent in Alberta, compared with 3.9 per cent in 2006, and 2.1 per cent in 2005. The cost of shelter was the main factor driving the increase in Alberta, increasing on average by 12.2 per cent in 2007. In February 2008, Alberta recorded a year over year inflation rate of 3.5 per cent, a slightly slower rate of growth than the 12-month increase of 3.6 per cent in January 2008.
• Housing starts in Alberta reached 8,532 units in the first quarter of 2008, a 3.1 per cent decrease from the first quarter of 2007.
• In February 2008, the number of Alberta homes sold through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) totaled 4,601, a 30 per cent decrease from February 2007. Average resale prices in Alberta in February 2008 reached $359,953, an increase of 4.8 per cent from February 2007.
• New housing prices in Alberta increased 11.2 per cent year over year in January 2008. This compares to the national increase of 6.5 per cent over the same time period. In Calgary, prices were 5.6 per cent higher than in January last year, while in Edmonton, prices were 19.0 per cent higher.
• Investment in non-residential building construction in Alberta rose 5.1 per cent in the first quarter of 2008 compared to the previous quarter, to $2.53 billion. This was a 19th consecutive quarterly gain for Alberta.
• In January 2008, average weekly earnings of Alberta payroll employees increased 3.1 per cent year over year to $851.20. Over the same period, the national increase in average weekly earnings was 3.0 per cent to $785.14. Alberta continues to have the highest wages in Canada.
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
• From October 1, 2007 to January 1, 2008, Albertaʼs population grew by 0.32 per cent or approximately 11,114 to a total of 3,497,881. Net international migration reached 6,402, while the net natural increase was 5,592. These gains were offset by losses in net interprovincial migration (-880). The majority of interprovincial migrants were lost to British Columbia and Saskatchewan. Calgary Region Economy Real GDP growth in Calgary is forecast to top all CMAs in Canada in 2008 at 3.9 per cent, led by solid consumer spending and energy demand.
• On a year over year basis, Calgaryʼs inflation rate was 3.0 per cent in February 2008. Saskatoon had the highest year over year inflation rate in February 2008 (4.6 per cent), followed by Edmonton (3.9 per cent) and Calgary.
• From January to March 2008, total housing starts in the Calgary CMA increased 68 per cent from 2,774 units in 2007 to 4,656 units in 2008.
• New housing price increases continued to cool in the Calgary CMA in February 2008. On a month over month basis, the new housing price index (1997 = 100) declined 0.3 per cent in February 2008 compared to the previous month.
• The number of single-family metro homes sold in Calgary in the first quarter of 2008 totaled 3,747, a 34.3 per cent decrease compared to the first quarter of 2007. The median price of a single-family metro home in Calgary was $420,000 in the first quarter of 2008, a 2.5 per cent increase compared to the same period a year ago ($409,900).
• Calgary metro condo sales totaled 1,577 in the first quarter of 2008, a 40.6 per cent decrease from the first three months of 2007. The median price of a metro condo in the first quarter of 2008 was $293,000, a 4.6 per cent increase from the first three months of 2007 ($280,000).
• Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation is forecasting existing home sales in the Calgary CMA will weaken during the next two years, declining 5.2 per cent in 2008, and 3.3 per cent in 2009. Average MLS resale prices in Calgary are forecast to increase only 3.6 per cent in 2008, and 4.9 per cent in 2009, following a 19.4 per cent year over year gain in 2007.
• In the first quarter of 2008, investment in non-residential building construction (industrial, commercial and institutional) in the Calgary CMA totaled $1.26 billion, a 1.7 per cent increase from the fourth quarter of 2007.
• According to Avison Young, Calgary remained in the top five of the tightest industrial markets in North America in the first quarter of 2008. Strong demand in Calgary and area for industrial real estate held vacancy rates at 2.3 per cent in the first quarter 2008. Trends in the Labor Market Canada Employment in Canada was estimated at 17,092,600 in the first quarter of 2008, an increase of 85,800 from the fourth quarter of 2007. Year over year, employment increased by 340,800, or 2.0 per cent in the first quarter of 2008.
• The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the first quarter of 2008 averaged 5.9 per cent in Canada, unchanged from the fourth quarter of 2007, and down from 6.1 per cent year over year.
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
• Strong employment growth occurred year over year in the first quarter of 2008 in a number of industries in Canada including utilities (16.7 per cent), public administration (9.8 per cent), construction (8.5 per cent), professional, scientific and technical services (6.7 per cent), and transportation and warehousing (4.8 per cent).
• Employment declines, on a year over year basis, were experienced in manufacturing (-5.3 per cent), natural resources (-2.2 per cent), accommodation and food services (-1.8 per cent), and information, culture and recreation (-0.1 per cent) in the first quarter of 2008. Alberta Employment in Alberta in the first quarter of 2008 increased by 19,000 from the previous quarter, and by 63,500 year over year. Alberta accounted for 22 per cent of the employment gain in Canada in the first quarter of 2008, compared to the fourth quarter of 2007.
• Albertaʼs participation rate in the first quarter of 2008 increased to 74.6 per cent, up from 74.1 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2007, and 74.0 per cent in the first quarter of 2007. In March 2008, Albertaʼs participation rate reached 74.7 per cent, the highest of any province.
• Albertaʼs seasonally adjusted unemployment rate averaged 3.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2008, unchanged from the previous quarter, and down 0.1 per cent year over year. In February and March 2008, Alberta was the only province with an unemployment rate below 4.0 per cent.
• On a year over year basis, there was strong employment growth in the first quarter of 2008 in a number of industries in Alberta including wholesale trade (32.7 per cent), agriculture (25.1 per cent), public administration (19.0 per cent), and finance, insurance, real estate and leasing (18.8 per cent).
• Employment declined in utilities (-12.3 per cent), educational services (-11.9 per cent), accommodation and food services (-10.4 per cent), manufacturing (-7.5 per cent), mining and oil and gas (-2.4 per cent) and transportation and warehousing (-0.3 per cent) on a year over year basis in the first quarter of 2008. Calgary CMA Total employment in the Calgary CMA was estimated at 688,200 in the first quarter of 2008, an increase of 3,400 from the previous quarter. Year over year, employment in the Calgary CMA increased by 15,400, or 2.3 per cent in the first quarter of 2008.
• The unemployment rate in the Calgary CMA averaged 2.9 per cent in the first quarter of 2008, down slightly from 3.0 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2007, and 3.1 per cent in the first quarter of 2007. The Calgary CMA had the lowest unemployment rate among metropolitan areas in March 2008 at 3.0 per cent, followed by Saskatoon (3.2 per cent), and Victoria (3.3 per cent). Community Profiles City of Airdrie The city of Airdrie is located along the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor (Highway #2) approximately 32 km north of downtown Calgary and 280 km south of Edmonton. Airdrie is focused on the expansion of industrial and commercial development, and its major employers include companies in the retail, construction, manufacturing, and financial and business services industries.
• In 2006, Airdrie had a population of 28,927, a 42 per cent increase from 2001. The city has a land area of 33 square kilometres and a population density of 874 per square kilometre. A local census was conducted in 2007 showing a total population of 31,512, an increase of 9 per cent from the 2006 federal census figure.
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
• On average, the population of Airdrie is younger when compared to the Calgary CMA. According to the 2006 federal census, the median age of residents in Airdrie was 32.6 years. This compares to a median age of 35.7 years in the Calgary CMA.
• In 2006, 43 per cent of the total private households in Airdrie contained couples with children, down from 49 per cent in 2001.
• According to the 2006 Census, half of Airdrieʼs labour force was in the business services, other services, and retail trade industries. Sales and service occupations topped the list of reported occupations (22 per cent), followed closely by trades, transport and equipment operators (20.4 per cent), and business, finance and administrative occupations (19.3 per cent).
• In the first quarter of 2008, residential sales in Airdrie totalled 268, a 31 per cent increase from the 205 sales in the fourth quarter of 2007. Average residential prices remained stable, posting a quarter over quarter increase of 2 per cent to $350,496 in the first quarter of 2008.
• Total housing starts in Airdrie totaled 108 units in the first two months of 2008, virtually unchanged from the same period in 2007.
Other Communities in the Calgary Region Alberta Employment and Immigrationʼs Calgary Region includes the following communities surrounding the city of Calgary: Airdrie, Banff, Beiseker, Black Diamond, Canmore, Chestermere, Cochrane, Crossfield, High River, Irricana, Okotoks, and Turner Valley.
• In the first two months of 2008, housing starts in the Calgary CMA totaled 1,588 units, a 3.7 per cent increase from the same period in 2007. Total housing starts in the town of Cochrane increased more than threefold in the first two months of 2008 to 122 units, mainly as a result of an increase in multi- family starts.
• The total number of resale housing units sold in the towns outside Calgary in the first quarter of 2008 totaled 988, a 34.3 per cent decrease from the same period in 2007.
• Average combined residential sale prices in the towns outside Calgary increased 8.5 per cent year over year in March 2008 to $389,200. From January to March 2008, average residential sale prices in the towns increased 10.6 per cent compared to the same period in 2007.
• Over $2.85 billion in major capital projects are either proposed, announced, or under construction in select communities surrounding Calgary. Calgary & Area Employer Survey For each quarter of 2008, a survey will be conducted of Calgary and area companies. The purpose of the survey is to gather information from employers on their recruitment and retention practices and various other employment issues they are facing. In the first quarter of 2008, companies with 100 or more employees were surveyed. Companies with 50 – 99 employees will be surveyed and reported on in the second quarter, companies with 10 – 49 employees will be surveyed in the third quarter, and companies with 1 – 9 employees will be surveyed in the fourth quarter. The survey will be conducted as described above to see if overall, recruitment and retention practices, as well as various employment issues vary depending on the size of the company. Summary of Q1 2008 Survey Results: Companies with 100+ Employees • The 203 companies surveyed employ approximately 94,029 people.
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
• Twenty-six per cent of the companies have expanded, 8 per cent have downsized, and 1 per cent have relocated in the last 12 months. Sixty-five per cent of companies have not changed the scope of their operations in the last 12 months.
• Eighteen per cent of the companies anticipate a business expansion, and 3 per cent anticipate a business downsize in the next 12 months.
• Eighty-four percent of the companies surveyed currently have vacant positions that need to be filled. • The companies reporting vacancies have approximately 3,709 vacant positions. • Twenty-nine per cent of the companies surveyed anticipate requiring additional employees in the next 3 months, not including existing vacant positions.
• These companies anticipate requiring an additional 775 employees in the next 3 months. • Overall, the top resources companies use to find applicants are: company website/internal postings, word of mouth/employee referrals, the Internet, and newspapers.
• Forty-three per cent of the companies surveyed had difficulty recruiting qualified employees in the last 12 months.
• Eleven per cent of the companies anticipate having more difficulty, 13 per cent anticipate having less difficulty, and 76 per cent anticipate having about the same amount of difficulty recruiting qualified employees in the next 12 months.
• Overall, 96 per cent of the companies are aware that some groups of workers in the Calgary region, such as persons with disabilities, aboriginal people, immigrants, older workers, youth, and women are traditionally underemployed.
• Fourteen per cent of the companies surveyed have plans to directly target some underemployed groups in the next 12 months.
• Overall, 20 per cent of the companies surveyed currently employ temporary foreign workers. • Ten per cent of the companies anticipate applying for or hiring temporary foreign workers in the next 12 months, while an additional 17 per cent are unsure. Seventy-three per cent have no plans to hire temporary foreign workers in the next year.
• All of the companies surveyed reported employees have left their company in the past 12 months as a result of voluntary turnover.
• Approximately 18,411 employees have voluntarily left the companies in the past 12 months. Overall, one in five workers has left their employer for other work in the past year, which equates to a 20 per cent turnover rate.
• Fifty-seven per cent of the companies surveyed anticipate voluntary turnover will be about the same in the next 12 months, 8 per cent anticipate it will be lower, and 5 per cent anticipate it will be higher.
• The top strategies companies are using to retain employees are: competitive salary, competitive benefits package, learning/growth opportunities, and flexible work measures.
• Twenty-seven per cent of the companies anticipate they will be focusing more on employee retention in the next 12 months, 3 per cent anticipate they will be focusing less, and 53 per cent anticipate they will be focusing about the same.
• Overall, 24 per cent of the companies surveyed said the strong Canadian Dollar relative to the US dollar is affecting their companies.
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Labour Market Information Review Labour Market News Highlights The Calgary & Area Labour Market News, published monthly, provides current labour market information and analysis geared toward job seekers. The full articles are available on the Alberta Employment and Immigration website at http://www.employment.gov.ab.ca/cps/rde/xchg/hre/hs.xsl/2396.html
Employer Labour Market News Highlights The Calgary & Area Employer Labour Market News, published bi-monthly, is geared toward employers, business and industry. The full articles are available on the Alberta Employment and Immigration website at http://www.employment.gov.ab.ca/cps/rde/xchg/hre/hs.xsl/2397.html
Job Ad Analysis Each month, the Calgary & Area Labour Market News includes an analysis of job ads posted from a single source. Month-to-month sources rotate through the following list that includes three paper sources and three web sources: Calgary Herald Working section; Workopolis.com website; Calgary Sun Classified section; Job Bank website; Calgary Herald classified section; and Monster.ca website.
The federal governmentʼs Job Bank was analyzed in June 2007 and January 2008.
• Job Ads by Industry: The Job Bank is a good source for those looking for jobs in the accommodation and food services industry, retail trade industry, construction industry, and manufacturing industry.
• Job Ads by Occupation: The Job Bank is an excellent source for those looking for work in sales and service occupations, trades, transport and equipment operator occupations, and business, finance and administration occupations.
The Calgary Herald classifieds were analyzed in July 2007 and February 2008.
• Job Ads by Industry: The Calgary Herald classifieds is an excellent source for those looking for jobs in the construction industry, health care and social assistance industry, retail trade industry, and accommodation and food services industry.
• Job Ads by Occupation: The Calgary Herald classifieds is a good source for those looking for work in trades, transport and equipment operators occupations, sales and service occupations, business, finance and administration occupations, and health occupations.
Monster.ca was analyzed in August 2007 and March 2008.
• Job Ads by Industry: Monster.ca is an excellent source for those looking for jobs in the retail trade industry, information and culture industry, professional, scientific and technical services industry, manufacturing industry, and mining and oil and gas industry.
• Job Ads by Occupation: Monster.ca is a good source for those looking for work in natural and applied science and related occupations, business, finance and administration occupations, sales and service occupations, and management occupations.
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
THE ECONOMY The Calgary regionʼs economy is affected by global economic activity, economic conditions in the U.S., and economic drivers in the Canadian economy and elsewhere in Alberta.
GLOBAL ECONOMY
In its World Economic Outlook released in October 2007, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected real global GDP growth would decelerate from 5.2 per cent in 2007 to 4.8 per cent in 2008.1 Growth in advanced economies (including the U.S., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, the U.K, and Canada)2 was expected to slow to 2.2 per cent in 2008, compared to 2.5 per cent in 2007. At the beginning of January 2008, the IMF lowered its estimates for global growth by approximately half a percentage point each year from 2002 to 2007 based on new statistical calculations of purchasing power parity (PPP) exchange rates provided by the International Comparison Program (ICP)3. “Purchasing power parity rates are an alternative way of calculating the exchange rate between countries based upon the comparison of prices of similar goods and services in different countries. The PPP rate is defined as the amount of currency that would be needed to purchase the same basket of goods and services as one unit of the reference currency, usually the U.S. dollar.”4 On January 25, 2008, the IMF updated its forecast for global growth (including revised PPP estimates), stating, “global economic expansion has begun to moderate in response to continuing financial turbulence.”5 Global growth is projected to moderate to 4.1 per cent in 2008, from an estimated 4.9 per cent in 2007. Projected growth in the United States and Japan in 2008 has been lowered to 1.5 per cent year over year, from an estimated 2.2 per cent and 1.9 per cent in 2007 respectively. Growth in Western Europe is projected to ease to 1.6 per cent in 2008, down from 2.6 per cent in 2007.6 Growth in Developing Asia is also forecast to slow from an estimated 9.6 per cent in 2007 to 8.6 per cent in 2008, with Chinaʼs growth expected to ease slightly from an estimated 11.4 per cent in 2007 to 10.0 per cent in 2008. In its Article IV Consultation with Canada released in February 2008, the IMF also revised its 2008 growth rate projections for Canada to 1.8 per cent, from 2.0 per cent. “Looking ahead, (IMF) Directors observed that the near-term economic outlook would be affected by a potential sharp slowing of the U.S. economy, the effects of past currency appreciation, and tighter credit conditions – although domestic demand would likely remain solid.” Estimates for 2007 indicate that Canada ranks as the worldʼs 13th largest economy, with a 2 per cent share of world output while the U.S. and China rank as the worldʼs largest economies, with a 21.4 per cent and 10.9 per cent share of world output respectively.
1 International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook, October 2007, p.8. 2 Also includes other advanced economies and newly industrialized Asian economies. 3 The ICP project, coordinated by the World Bank, produces PPP estimates based on statistical surveys of price data for a basket of goods and services for 100 developing countries. 4 International Monetary Fund, IMF Research Department, Global Growth Estimates Trimmed After PPP Revisions, Selim Elekdag and Subir Lall, January 8, 2008, p.3. 5 International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook Update, January 2008, p.1. 6 Ibid.
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Table 1: Gross Domestic Product (2007) based on Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) Share of World Total
2007 GDP (PPP) Rank Country Share of World Total 1 United States 21.4% 2 China 10.9% 3 Japan 6.6% 4 India 4.6% 5 Germany 4.4% 6 United Kingdom 3.3% 7 Russia 3.2% 8 France 3.2% 9 Brazil 2.8% 10 Italy 2.8% 11 Spain 2.1% 12 Mexico 2.1% 13 Canada 2.0% Source: International Monetary Fund, Updated World GDP Growth and PPP Weights, January 30, 2008
U.S. ECONOMY
The U.S. economy grew at an annualized rate of only 0.6 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2007, down significantly from the 4.9 per cent annualized rate recorded in the third quarter of 2007. Annual growth is estimated at 2.2 per cent in 2007, compared with 2.9 per cent in 2006. “Consumer spending on services, exports, and investment in business structures were major contributors to the 2.2 per cent growth in real GDP in 2007. The continued drag from housing and a drawdown in inventories accounted for a significant share of the slowdown in growth compared to 2006.”7 The mortgage meltdown, credit crisis, and deteriorating housing market have been major factors in the slowdown in U.S. economic growth. As shown in Figure 1, U.S. housing starts to date have fallen 55 per cent from a peak of 2,265,000 in January 2006. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits (considered a good sign of where construction is heading) were down 3 per cent in January 2008, compared to the previous month, and down 33 per cent year over year. Sales of new single-family homes fell 33.9 per cent8 year over year in January 2008, and the estimate of new houses for sale at the end of January 2008 was 482,000, representing a supply of 9.9 months at the current sales rate.9
7 U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, News Release: GDP Growth Slows Down in the Fourth Quarter, Advance Estimates of GDP, January 30, 2008. 8 + or – 10 per cent. 9 U.S. Census Bureau News Joint Release U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, New Residential Sales in January 2008, February 27, 2008.
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Figure 1: U.S. Housing Starts, Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (Thousands of housing units)
In the fourth quarter of 2007, 77 of 150 metropolitan areas in the U.S. recorded year over year price declines in median existing single-family house prices. Sixteen metropolitan areas posted double digit declines.
Table 2: Median Sales Price of Existing Single-Family Homes for Metropolitan Areas in the U.S. (metropolitan areas with double-digit annual declines)
Q4 2006 Q4 2007 Metropolitan Area Median Price Median Price % Change (US$) (US$) Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL 258,900 225,300 -13.0% Dayton, OH 119,500 106,600 -10.8% Decatur, IL 86,200 75,000 -13.0% Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI 154,600 133,300 -13.8% Ft. Wayne, IN 101,600 90,900 -10.5% Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV 213,900 192,100 -10.2% Jackson, MS 145,300 120,900 -16.8% Lansing, MS 135,000 109,600 -18.8% Las Vegas-Paradise, NV 313,500 273,500 -12.8% Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA 586,500 509,700 -13.1% Memphis, TN-MS-AR 141,900 124,300 -12.4% Orlando, FL 272,100 240,400 -11.7% Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL 173,900 151,300 -13.0% Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA 406,400 338,000 -16.8% Sacramento-Arden-Arcade-Roseville, CA 365,200 297,600 -18.5% Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL 229,700 201,600 -12.2% Source: National Association of Realtors
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
“The continuing crunch in the jumbo loan market that began in August has disproportionately reduced the number of transactions in higher price ranges. For buyers who need loans of more than $417,000, mortgage interest rates have been running more than a percentage point higher. Higher ratios of sales for more moderately priced homes are naturally dampening the national median price as well as the data for some of the more expensive markets.”10 Nationally, the median existing single-family home price decreased 5.8 per cent year over year in the fourth quarter of 2007. Regionally, prices fell 4.8 per cent in the Northeast, 3.2 per cent in the Midwest, 5.4 per cent in the South, and 8.7 per cent in the West. Eleven metropolitan areas posted double digit increases in median existing single-family home prices year over year in the fourth quarter of 2007.
Table 3: Median Sales Price of Existing Single-Family Homes for Metropolitan Areas in the U.S. (metropolitan areas with double-digit annual increases)
Q4 2006 Q4 2007 Metropolitan Area Median Price Median Price % Change (US$) (US$) Amarillo, TX 108,300 120,200 11.0% Atlantic City, NJ 251,900 278,800 10.7% Binghampton, NY 95,800 110,000 14.8% Bismark, ND 127,500 144,700 13.5% Cumberland, MD-WV 98,000 116,600 19.0% Kennewick-Richland-Pasco, WA 151,200 172,400 14.0% San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA 760,000 845,300 11.2% Springfield, IL 94,900 108,600 14.4% Topeka, KS 101,100 112,300 11.1% Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA 102,900 115,400 12.1% Yakima, WA 144,600 170,600 18.0% Source: National Association of Realtors
In its 2007 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, RealtyTrac, an online marketplace for foreclosure properties, reported over 2.2 million foreclosure filings11 were reported on 1,285,873 properties in the U.S. in 2007, a 75 per cent increase from 2006. Nationally, 1.03 per cent of all households in the U.S. were in various stages of foreclosure in 2007. Nevada recorded the highest foreclosure rate in 2007, with 3.4 per cent of the stateʼs households entering various stages of foreclosure during the year. Florida posted the second highest foreclosure rate in 2007 (2.0 per cent) followed by Michigan (1.9 per cent), California (1.9 per cent), Colorado (1.9 per cent), and Ohio (1.7 per cent). Georgia, Arizona, Illinois and Indiana all posted foreclosure rates of more than 1 per cent in 2007.12
10 National Association of Realtors, Metro Areas Show Greatly Mixed Home Price Performance; Half Show Gains, February 14, 2008, p.1. 11 Default notices, auction sale notices and bank repossessions. 12 RealtyTrac, U.S. Foreclosure Activity Increases 75 Percent in 2007, January 29, 2008.
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The most recent forecasts for growth of real GDP in the U.S. range between 0.8 per cent and 1.8 per cent in 2008, and 1.1 per cent and 2.1 per cent in 2009. In February, the Economist Intelligence Unit revised down its forecast for real GDP growth in 2008 and 2009. “This reflects our view that the housing market will deteriorate more sharply than previously assumed as well as the impact of the deepening turmoil in the financial sector.”13
Table 4: Real Gross Domestic Product Forecast: U.S. (% change)
Forecast Agency Date Released 2008 2009
BMO Capital Markets Apr 2008 1.2 2.1 TD Bank Financial Group Mar 2008 1.1 1.1 Scotiabank Group Mar 2008 1.1 1.7 RBC Financial Group Apr 2008 1.2 2.0 The Conference Board U.S.A Apr 2008 1.8 2.1 Economist Intelligence Unit Feb 2008 0.8 1.4
CANADIAN ECONOMY The Canadian economy grew at a disappointing annualized rate of 0.8 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2007, down significantly from the 3.0 per cent annualized rate posted in the third quarter of 2007. “There is no disputing the fallout of the U.S. slowdown on Canada anymore.”14 Annual growth is estimated at 2.7 per cent in 2007, compared with 2.8 per cent in 2006.15 Consumer spending, the main contributor to growth, was up 4.7 per cent in 2007, and was supported by low interest rates, as well as strong income and employment growth. The services-producing industries outpaced the goods-producing industries again in 2007. The retail trade sector expanded by 5.6 per cent in 2007, mostly due to increased consumer spending on home furniture, computers, motor vehicles, home electronics, and clothing. Finance and insurance, wholesale trade, and construction were the other main sectors contributing to growth in 2007. The agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining and manufacturing sectors were hit hard again in 2007, declining 3.5 per cent and 1.1 per cent respectively in 2007. “The manufacturing subsectors highly sensitive to exports suffered the greatest in 2007. For instance, wood product manufacturing declined a further 10.7% after dipping 4.4% in 2006 while exports of forestry products as a whole declined in each of the four quarters throughout the year as the U.S. housing market experienced significant declines.”16
13 http://www.economist.com/countries/USA/profile.cfm?folder=Profile-Forecast 14 TD Bank Financial Group, Data Commentaries, Canadian Economy Ends a Disappointing Quarter on a Dismal Note, March 3, 2008, p.1. 15 Statistics Canada, The Daily, Canadian economic accounts, Fourth quarter 2007, December 2007 and annual 2007, March 3, 2008. 16 Statistics Canada, Catalogue no. 13-010-XIE, Canadian Economic Accounts Quarterly Review, fourth quarter 2007, March 3, 2008, p.27.
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Real GDP growth in Canada is projected to range between 1.1 per cent and 2.2 per cent in 2008, and 1.8 per cent and 3.0 per cent in 2009. “Canadaʼs economy will slow but will slightly outperform the U.S. economy, with support coming from high prices for Canadian natural resource exports.”17
Table 5: Real Gross Domestic Product Forecast: Canada (% change)
Forecast Agency Date Released 2008 2009 BMO Capital Markets Apr 2008 1.4 2.5 Scotiabank Group Mar 2008 1.5 2.0 TD Bank Financial Group Apr 2008 1.1 1.8 CIBC World Markets Apr 2008 1.6 3.0 RBC Financial Group Apr 2008 1.6 2.3 International Monetary Fund Mar 2008 1.3 1.9 Conference Board of Canada Mar 2008 2.2 3.0
CONTRIBUTORY INFLUENCES A number of factors influence the Canadian economy. Canadian Dollar The Canadian dollar averaged $1.00 U.S. during the first quarter of 200818 and is forecast to average between 91.0 cents US and 105.0 cents US by the end of 2008. “We continue to look for a small decline in the CAD versus the USD over the course of 2008 but we have moderated our expectation for the scale of the CAD drop slightly given the weakness of the USD and persistent strength in commodities that we expect this year (we look for oil prices to end 2008 around $89/barrel). Simply put though, we still think that slower domestic growth and lower interest rates will weigh on the (still relatively expensive) CAD to a degree at least.”19 “Fears of U.S. weakness spreading north and a pullback in commodity prices have backed the loonie away from par. Look for the Canadian dollar to meander around current levels with a weaker bias through 2008.20 CIBC World Markets is forecasting the loonie will remain above parity on average against the U.S. dollar in 2008. “Weʼre retaining our call (for the Canadian dollar) to trade in the 0.95-0.97 range (i.e. a C$ worth US$1.03-1.05) beyond mid-year through the first quarter of 2009.”21
17 RBC Financial Group, Economic & Financial Market Outlook, April 2008, p.1. 18 Bank of Canada, Financial Markets Department, Monthly Average of Exchange Rates, www.bankofcanada.ca/en/rates/exchange.html 19 TD Bank Financial Group, TD Economics, Global Markets, March 5, 2008, p.8. 20 BMO Capital Markets, Economic Research, Rates Scenario, April 1, 2008, p.1. 21 CIBC World Markets, Monthly FX Outlook, March 27, 2008, p.2.
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Table 6: Exchange Rate Forecast – End of Quarter (USD/CAD)
Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Forecast Agency Date Released 2008 2008 2008 2009 TD Bank Financial Group Mar 2008 0.980 0.960 0.950 0.950 BMO Capital Markets* Apr 2008 1.000 0.984 0.970 0.964 CIBC World Markets Mar 2008 1.015 1.047 1.050 1.031 National Bank Financial Apr 2008 0.950 0.980 1.000 n/a RBC Financial Group Apr 2008 0.980 0.952 0.909 0.893 Scotiabank Group Apr 2008 0.990 0.970 0.960 0.960 * Average for the quarter
Inflation The consumer price index (CPI) provides a broad measure of the cost of living in Canada. The Bank of Canada monitors changes in the CPI in deciding when to tighten monetary conditions to keep inflation within the range of the inflation-control target it has set (2.0 per cent). To assess the trend of inflation, the Bank of Canada monitors the “core CPI” measure, which excludes eight of the CPIʼs most volatile components (fruit, vegetables, gasoline, fuel oil, natural gas, mortgage interest, intercity transportation and tobacco products).22
Figure 2: CPI All-items and Core (Canada) % change from the same month of the previous year
22 Bank of Canada, The Bank in Brief, The Consumer Price Index, January 2000.
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
The all-items CPI increased 1.8 per cent year over year in February 2008, a substantially slower rate of increase from the year over year change of 2.2 per cent reported in January 2008. Most of the deceleration was a result of easing gasoline and car prices. “Gasoline prices were 17.1% higher in February 2008 than in February 2007, down from the 12-month increase of 20.9% posted in January. Nevertheless, gasoline prices continued to be the main factor in the increase in consumer prices for the sixth consecutive month.”23 “Prices for automotive vehicles (-6.8%) recorded its most significant 12-month drop since February 1956. This was mainly attributable to decreases in manufacturerʼs suggested retail prices and increases in incentives.24 The core CPI increased 1.5 per cent year over year in February 2008, a slight acceleration compared to Januaryʼs 1.4 per cent year over year increase. Most of the increase in the core CPI in February resulted from an increase in homeowners replacement cost (+4.8 per cent).25 Interest Rates The Bank of Canada adjusts monetary policy by raising and lowering the target for the overnight rate.
“The overnight rate is the interest rate at which major financial institutions borrow and lend one-day (or “overnight”) funds among themselves; the Bank sets a target level for that rate. This target for the overnight rate is often referred to as the Bankʼs key interest rate or key policy rate. Changes in the target for the overnight rate influence other interest rates, such as those for consumer loans and mortgages. They can also affect the exchange rate of the Canadian dollar.”26 On March 4, 2008, the Bank of Canada lowered its target for the overnight rate to 3.50 per cent. According to the Bank, “the U.S. economy is likely to experience a deeper and more prolonged slowdown than had been projected in January.”27
“The deterioration in economic and financial conditions in the United States can be expected to have significant spillover effects on the global economy. These developments suggest that important downside risks to Canadaʼs economic outlook that were identified in the Monetary Policy Report Update are materializing and, in some respects, intensifying.”28 The Bankʼs next scheduled date for announcing any changes to the overnight target rate is April 22, 2008. TD Bank Financial Group anticipates a further half point cut to 3.00 per cent on April 22, and is forecasting the overnight rate will be further cut to 2.00 per cent by the end of the third quarter of 2008.
“On balance, the combination of weakening economic growth, soft Canadian inflation and continued dislocations in credit markets underpin our expectation that the Bank of Canada will remain on an easing trend. We look for three more 50 bps rate cuts leaving the
23 Statistics Canada, The Daily, Consumer Price Index February 2008, March 18, 2008, p.1. 24 Statistics Canada, The Consumer Price Index, February 2008, Catalogue no. 62-001-X, p.8. 25 Statistics Canada. This cost represents replacing the worn-out structural portion of housing and is estimated using new housing prices, excluding land. 26 www.bankofcanada.ca/en/monetary/target.html 27 Bank of Canada, Press Releases, Bank of Canada lowers overnight rate target by 1.2 percentage point to 3 ½ per cent, Ottawa, March 4, 2008. 28 Ibid.
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overnight rate at a cyclical low of 2%. In our view, this is sufficient monetary stimulus to buoy the Canadian economy against the rocky road ahead.”29 RBC Financial Group, CIBC World Markets, BMO Capital Markets and Scotiabank Group are forecasting the overnight rate will be 2.75 by the end of 2008.
Table 7: Bank of Canada Overnight Rate – End of Quarter Projections
Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Forecast Agency Date Released 2008 2008 2008 2009 TD Bank Financial Group March 2008 2.50 2.00 2.00 2.00 RBC Financial Group Apr 2008 2.75 2.75 2.75 2.75 CIBC World Markets Apr 2008 2.75 2.75 2.75 2.75 BMO Capital Markets* Apr 2008 3.00 2.75 2.75 2.75 Scotiabank Group Mar 2008 2.75 2.75 2.75 2.75 *Average for the quarter
Population Canadaʼs population increased by 52,400 between October 1, 2007 and January 1, 2008, and reached an estimated total of 33,143,600. Approximately 55,600 immigrants were admitted to Canada during the fourth quarter of 2007, which was “high compared to the average for the fourth quarters of the past ten years (50,900).”30 Alberta accounted for 21 per cent of the nationʼs population growth in the fourth quarter of 2007, posting an increase of 11,114 people. “Albertaʼs demographic growth still exceeds that of the country overall, despite losses in interprovincial migration. Owing to the strongest natural growth of any province and a steady increase in the number of immigrants and non-permanent residents, the provinceʼs population continues to grow.”31
ALBERTA ECONOMY The Alberta economy is returning to more sustainable levels of growth, according to the most recent ATB Financial Business Sentiments Index. The Index is compiled by the Western Centre for Economic Research at the University of Albertaʼs School of Business, and is used as a tool to evaluate the intentions of businesses in Alberta. More than 400 businesses in Alberta were surveyed by telephone. “The higher the value of the Index, the stronger is the sentiment for expansion. The ceiling value of the index is 200 (all respondents expect increase) and the floor value is zero (all respondents expect a decrease).32 For the second quarter of 2008, ATB Financialʼs Business Sentiments Index is 130.5, up from 124.7 the previous quarter, but down from 140.3 year over year. Optimism is the highest in the manufacturing sector
29 TD Bank Financial Group, TD Economics, TD Quarterly Economic Forecast, March 19, 2008, p.14. 30 Statistics Canada, Quarterly Demographic Estimates, October to December 2007, Preliminary, Catalogue no. 91-002- x, p.8.. 31 Ibid, p.7. 32 Western Centre for Economic Research University of Alberta, ATB Financial Business Sentiments Index, Where is the Alberta Economy Going? 2008 Quarter 2, Number 112, April 2008, p.1.
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(165.7), wholesale trade sector (155.4), and transportation and warehousing sector (147.7). The Index for the oil and gas sector, however, has fallen to 74.2 for the second quarter of 2008, down from 101.5 in the second quarter of 2007. “This is the first time in ten quarters that any of the sector indices has fallen below 100, which indicates sentiment is more negative than positive.”33 The most recent available forecasts of real GDP growth in Alberta range between 2.1 per cent and 3.3 per cent in 2008, and 2.7 per cent and 3.3 per cent in 2009. The four western provinceʼs economies are expected to be the nationʼs best performers in 2008. TD Bank Financial Group is forecasting Albertaʼs real GDP growth will rank third in 2008, behind Saskatchewan (3.2 per cent), and British Columbia (2.2 per cent). Scotiabank Group is forecasting Alberta and Saskatchewan will lead GDP growth in 2008 (2.8 per cent), followed by British Columbia (2.6 per cent) and Manitoba (2.4 per cent). RBC Financial Group is forecasting Saskatchewan (3.6 per cent), Alberta (3.3 per cent) and Manitoba (2.8 per cent) will lead growth in 2008. “We expect Saskatchewan to be Canadaʼs top growth performer this year, coming in at 3.6% in 2008 and 3.2% in 2009. Saskatchewan and Manitoba have become the new ʻitʼ provinces with hot housing markets, big capital spending plans and tight labour conditions.”34
Table 8: Real Gross Domestic Product Forecast: Alberta (% change)
Forecast Agency Date Released 2008 2009
Scotiabank Group Mar 2008 2.8 3.1 BMO Capital Markets Winter 2008 2.8 2.7 RBC Financial Group Apr 2008 3.3 3.0 TD Bank Financial Group Apr 2008 2.1 2.8 Conference Board of Canada Winter 2008 3.3 3.3
CONTRIBUTORY INFLUENCES A number of factors influence the Alberta economy.
Energy Industry The price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil rose significantly in 2007 to an overall average of $72.32 U.S. per barrel (peaking at an average $94.63 U.S. per barrel in November 2007), an increase of 9.2 per cent from the average price of $66.22 U.S. per barrel in 2006.35 In the first two months of 2008, the price of WTI crude oil averaged $94.14 U.S. per barrel, a 66 per cent increase from the first two months of 2007.36
33 Ibid, p.2 34 RBC Financial Group Economics, Provincial Outlook, April 2008, p.3. 35 Alberta Employment and Immigration, Monthly Economic Review, March, 2008, p.20. 36 Ibid.
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Figure 3: Average Price of West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil (US$/Barrel)
According to the Energy Information Administrationʼs Short-Term Energy and Summer Fuels Outlook, WTI crude oil prices are projected to average $101.00 U.S. per barrel in 2008, and $92.50 U.S. per barrel in 2009. “A significant uncertainty in this Outlook is the WTI crude oil price projection. Price sensitivity is a characteristic of the current tight petroleum markets. Any real or perceived disturbance to petroleum demand or supplies, such as unusual weather, unscheduled refinery disruptions, or geopolitical uncertainty in oil-exporting regions, can result in large price increases in a short period of time. Prices can fall as rapidly under a different set of circumstances, such as easing of geopolitical tensions or further weakening of U.S. and world economic growth.”37 The price of natural gas38 declined in 2007 to an overall average of $5.88 C$ per GJ (peaking at an average $6.92 C$ per GJ in March 2007), a decrease of 5.5 per cent from the average price of $6.22 C$ per GJ in 2006.39 For the first two months of 2008, natural gas prices averaged $6.46 C$ per GJ – down 1.4 per cent from an average $6.55 C$ per GJ in the first two months of 2007.40
37 Energy Information Administration, Short-Term Energy and Summer Fuels Outlook, April 8, 2008. 38 Alberta Energy. The Alberta Natural Gas Reference Price (ARP) is a monthly weighted average field price of all Alberta gas sales, as determined by the Alberta department of Energy through a survey of actual sales transactions. This price is used for royalty purposes. 39 Alberta Employment and Immigration, Monthly Economic Review, March 2008, p.20. 40 Ibid.
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Figure 4: Average Price of Natural Gas (C$/GJ)
The average number of active drilling rigs in Alberta decreased to 241 in 2007, a 35 per cent decrease from the 371 active rigs in 2006. On average, there were 424 active drilling rigs in February 2008, a 5 per cent drop from the 447 active rigs in February 2007.41 Inflation In 2007, consumer prices rose on average by 5.0 per cent in Alberta42, compared with 3.9 per cent in 2006, and 2.1 per cent in 2005. The cost of shelter was the main factor driving the increase in Alberta, increasing on average by 12.2 per cent in 2007.43 In February 2008, Alberta recorded a year over year inflation rate of 3.5 per cent, a slightly slower rate of growth than the 12-month increase of 3.6 per cent in January 2008. Nationally, consumer prices increased 1.8 per cent in February 2008 compared to the previous year. Six provinces had prices rise faster than the national average between February 2007 and February 2008, with Alberta recording the highest increase in prices among all provinces.44
41 Ibid. 42 Statistics Canada – annual average indexes are calculated by averaging index levels over the 12 months of the calendar year. 43 Statistics Canada, The Consumer Price Index December 2007, Catalogue No. 62-001-X. 44 Statistics Canada, The Daily, Consumer Price Index February 2008, March 18, 2008.
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Figure 5: CPI All-items Index February 2008 (Canada and provinces) Percentage change from the same month of the previous year
Housing Market Housing starts in Alberta were down 1.3 per cent in 2007 to 48,336 units, led by a sharp drop in single- detached units. “An 18 per cent surge in multi-family dwellings could not compensate for a sharp decline in the single-detached market. Following the record 31,835 units in 2006, single-detached starts fell 12 per cent in 2007, the sharpest drop in nearly 10 years.”45 The overall decrease in housing starts in Alberta in 2007 was mainly a result of the decline in starts in the Calgary CMA (-21 per cent). Housing starts decreased 0.5 per cent in the Edmonton CMA in 2007. Housing starts in Alberta reached 8,532 units in the first quarter of 2008, a 3.1 per cent decrease from the first quarter of 2007. The overall decrease was mainly a result of the decline in starts in the Red Deer CA (-76 per cent), the Grand Prairie CA (-76 per cent), the Wood Buffalo CA (-48 per cent), the Edmonton CMA (-31 per cent), and the Medicine Hat CA (-21 per cent). Year over year, housing starts increased in the Calgary CMA (68 per cent), and the town of Canmore (31 per cent) in the first quarter of 2008.46 In February 2008, the number of Alberta homes sold through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) totaled 4,601, a 30 per cent decrease from February 2007. For the first two months of 2008, MLS re-sales in Alberta were down 28 per cent compared to the same period in 2007.47 Average resale prices in Alberta in February 2008 reached $359,953, an increase of 4.8 per cent from February 2007.48
45 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Housing Now, Prairie Region, First Quarter 2008, p.2. 46 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Release, Multi-family Starts Skyrocket to Record Level, April 8, 2008. 47 Alberta Employment and Immigration, Weekly Economic Highlights, April 4, 2008. 48 The Canadian Real Estate Association, MLS Statistics, www.crea.ca
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
New housing prices in Alberta increased 11.2 per cent year over year in January 2008. This compares to the national increase of 6.5 per cent over the same time period. In Calgary, prices were 5.6 per cent higher than in January last year, while in Edmonton, prices were 19.0 per cent higher.49 Building Permits In 2007, Alberta builders took out $15.6 billion in building permits ($9.0 billion were residential, $6.6 billion were non-residential), up 12.8 per cent from 2006. In Canada, the value of building permits hit a record high in 2007. Nationally, builders took out $74.3 billion in building permits in 2007 ($45.6 billion were residential, 28.7 billion were non-residential), an increase of 12.1 per cent from 2006. “While the gain in 2006 was largely fuelled by the tremendous demand in Western Canada, the increase in 2007 was more widespread across the country. Every province posted gains with the exception of Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.”50 For the first two months of 2008, Alberta builders took out $2.5 billion in building permits ($1.3 billion were residential, $1.2 billion were non-residential), up 14.6 per cent from the same period in 2007. Nationally builders took out $11.6 billion in building permits in the first two months of 2008, an increase of 7.0 per cent from the same period in 2007. The increase nationally was the result of strong growth in residential permits (8.6 per cent).51 Non-Residential Building Construction Investment in non-residential building construction52 in Alberta rose 5.1 per cent in the first quarter of 2008 compared to the previous quarter, to $2.53 billion. This was the 19th consecutive quarterly gain for Alberta. Alberta showed record gains in commercial investment in the first quarter of 2008, posting an increase of 5.6 per cent to $1.7 billion. “Overall, four provinces and two territories showed increases in commercial investment in the first quarter. The largest contributions (in dollars) occurred in Alberta (+5.6% to $1.7 billion) and in Ontario (+1.9% to $2.2 billion). Both amounts are all-time highs.”53 Nationally, investment in non-residential building construction reached $10.32 billion in the first quarter of 2008, an increase of 1.6 per cent from previous quarter.54 Retail and Wholesale Trade In 2007, retail sales in Alberta grew by 9.0 per cent year over year, putting the province fourth overall behind Saskatchewan (12.9 per cent), Manitoba (9.4 per cent) and Newfoundland and Labrador (9.4 per cent).55 In January 2008, retail sales in Alberta increased 5.4 per cent year over year to an estimated $5.2 billion, as a result of strong growth in gasoline service stations (+18 per cent), building and outdoor home supplies stores (+12.5 per cent), and general merchandise stores (+11.2 per cent).56 Wholesale sales in Alberta increased a solid 3.6 per cent year over year to $5.6 billion in January 2008. Much of the gain was a result of higher sales of food, beverage and tobacco products and machinery and
49 Alberta Employment and Immigration, Weekly Economic Highlights, March 14, 2008. 50 Statistics Canada, The Daily, Building permits, Annual 2007 (preliminary) and December 2007, February 6, 2008, p.1. 51 Statistics Canada, The Daily, Building permits, February 2008, April 7, 2008. 52 Includes industrial, commercial and institutional investment. 53 Statistics Canada, The Daily, Investment in non-residential building construction, First quarter 2008, April 14, 2008. 54 Ibid. 55 Statistics Canada, The Daily, Retail Trade, December 2007, February 22, 2008. 56 Alberta Employment and Immigration, Weekly Economic Highlights, March 28, 2008.
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
electronic equipment.57 Nationally, wholesale sales increased 3.1 per cent to $44.1 billion in January 2008, compared to January 2007.58 Average Weekly Earnings In January 2008, average weekly earnings of Alberta payroll employees increased 3.1 per cent year over year to $851.20. Over the same period, the national increase in average weekly earnings was 3.0 per cent to $785.14.59 Alberta continues to have the highest wages in Canada. In January 2008, Ontario ($815.88) was the only other province with average weekly earnings over $800.
Figure 6: Average weekly earnings of payroll employees January 2008 (Canada and provinces, seasonally adjusted)
Population Albertʼs population increased by 11,114 between October 1, 2007 and January 1, 2008, and reached an estimated total of 3,497,881. “Albertaʼs population continued to grow thanks to the highest natural increase of any province and to a net international migration inflow in the last three months of 2007, which was the highest in the country, owing notable to a sizable influx of non-permanent residents.”60 During the fourth quarter of 2007 in Alberta, net international migration reached 6,402, while the net natural increase was 5,592. These gains were offset by losses in net interprovincial migration (-880). The majority of interprovincial migrants were lost to British Columbia and Saskatchewan.
57 Alberta Employment and Immigration, Weekly Economic Highlights, March 21, 2008. 58 Statistics Canada, The Daily, Wholesale trade, January 2008, March 19, 2008. 59 Statistics Canada, The Daily, Payroll employment, earnings and hours, January 2008 (preliminary), March 31, 2008. 60 Statistics Canada, The Daily, Canadaʼs population estimates, Fourth quarter 2007 (preliminary), March 27, 2008.
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
On an annual basis, Albertaʼs population growth of 2.0 per cent was the highest in the country. Nationally, between January 1, 2007 and January 1, 2008, population growth was estimated at 1.1 per cent.
CALGARY REGION ECONOMY The Conference Board of Canada has estimated that real GDP growth in the Calgary Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) was 3.4 per cent in 2007, as a result of strong gains in the construction, wholesale trade and retail trade sectors. Calgaryʼs real GDP growth was the fifth highest in the country in 2007, after Saskatoon (5.5 per cent), Regina (4.0 per cent), Winnipeg (3.9 per cent), and Victoria (3.5 per cent). Real GDP growth in Calgary is forecast to top all CMAs in Canada in 2008 at 3.9 per cent, led by solid consumer spending and energy demand.61
CONTRIBUTORY INFLUENCES A number of factors influence the Calgary economy.
Inflation
In February 2008, Calgarians paid 3.0 per cent more for the goods and services that comprise the Consumer Price Index compared to a year ago. Saskatoon had the highest year over year inflation rate in February 2008 (4.6 per cent), followed by Edmonton (3.9 per cent) and Calgary. All other major Canadian cities had a year over year inflation rate of less than 3.0 per cent in February 2008.62 Housing Market In March 2008, a surge in new multi-family construction brought total housing starts in the Calgary CMA to 3,068 units, a 147 per cent increase from March 2007. Multi-family starts (semi-detached units, rows and apartments) reached 2,652 units in March 2008, an increase of close to four times the 681 units started the previous year. Single-detached starts however were weak in March 2008, declining 26 per cent year over year. “Single-detached starts continue to be impacted by the high level of competition in the resale market and potential homebuyers taking more time to shop around.”63 From January to March 2008, total housing starts in the Calgary CMA increased 68 per cent from 2,774 units in 2007 to 4,656 units in 2008. During the same period, total housing starts in the Edmonton CMA decreased 31 per cent – from 3,373 units in 2007 to 2,315 units in 2008.
Table 9: Housing Starts - January to March
Single Multiple Total % Change Area 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008/2007 Alberta (10,000+) 2,707 4,582 5,825 4,223 8,532 8,805 -3.1% Calgary CMA 1,067 1,717 3,589 1,057 4,656 2,774 67.8% Calgary City 754 1,373 3,396 923 4,150 2,296 80.7% Edmonton CMA 657 1,718 1,658 1,655 2,315 3,373 -31.4% Edmonton City 350 883 1,121 1,301 1,471 2,184 -32.6%
Source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
61 Conference Board of Canada, Metropolitan Outlook 1 – Spring 2008, p.4. 62 Statistics Canada, Consumer Price Index by city (monthly), CANSIM table 326-0020, March 18, 2008. 63 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Release, Multi-family Starts Skyrocket to Record Level, April 8, 2008.
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Housing starts in the Calgary CMA reached 13,505 units in 2007, and are forecast to decrease 18.5 per cent to 11,000 units in 2008.64 New housing price increases continued to cool in the Calgary CMA in February 2008. On a month over month basis, the new housing price index (1997 = 100) declined 0.3 per cent in February 2008 compared to the previous month. “Edmonton and Calgary are experiencing slower market conditions. With some migrants leaving the province, there are many resale houses on the market, making for slower new housing sales. This has resulted in both cities showing price declines on a monthly basis. In Edmonton, prices were down 0.9% from January, and in Calgary, they were down 0.3%.”65 Regina had the largest increase in prices for new homes in Canada in February 2008 compared to the previous month (7.0 per cent), followed by Saskatoon (4.3 per cent) and St. Johnʼs (2.9 per cent). “The markets in both Saskatoon and Regina continue to be strong. Demand for new housing is high in Saskatchewan due to a strong natural resource sector and aggressive efforts to attract migrants to alleviate the labour shortage in the province.”66 Year over year, the Calgary CMA recorded an increase in prices of 5.2 per cent in February 2008. The Saskatoon CMA had the largest gain in prices for new homes in Canada on a year over year basis (58.3 per cent), followed by Regina (28.6per cent), Edmonton (14.8 per cent), Winnipeg (14.5 per cent), and St. Johnʼs (12.2 per cent). “Buyers reported that material and labour costs as well as increased demand and higher land development costs have contributed to record increases in Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia. Buyers in St. Johnʼs saw a 12.2% gain on a 12-month basis. Homebuyers in Halifax saw prices rise 11.4%.”67 The number of single-family metro68 homes sold in Calgary in the first quarter of 2008 totaled 3,747, a 34.3 per cent decrease compared to the first quarter of 2007. Calgary metro condo sales totaled 1,577 in the first quarter of 2008, a 40.6 per cent decrease from the first three months of 2007. The median price69 of a single-family metro home in Calgary was $420,000 in the first quarter of 2008, a 2.5 per cent increase compared to the same period a year ago ($409,900), while the median price of a metro condo was $293,000, a 4.6 per cent increase from the first three months of 2007 ($280,000).70 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation is forecasting existing home sales in the Calgary CMA will weaken during the next two years, declining 5.2 per cent in 2008, and 3.3 per cent in 2009. Average MLS resale prices in Calgary are forecast to increase only 3.6 per cent in 2008, and 4.9 per cent in 2009, following a 19.4 per cent year over year gain in 2007.71
64 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Housing Market Outlook, Prairie Region Highlights, First Quarter, 2008. 65 Statistics Canada, The Daily, New Housing Price Index, February 2008, April 11, 2008, p.2. 66 Ibid. 67 Ibid. 68 Calgary Real Estate Board – all Calgary metro MLS statistics include properties listed and sold only within Calgary City limits. 69 An equal number of homes are sold above and below the price. 70 Calgary Real Estate Board, CREB Stats, March 2008. 71 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Housing Market Outlook, Prairie Region Highlights, First Quarter, 2008.
Alberta Employment and Immigration 28
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Building Permits The total value of building permits in the Calgary CMA amounted to $6.49 billion in 2007, up 18.3 per cent from 2006. The value of permits for office buildings was the main contributor to the overall increase in the non-residential sector in the Calgary CMA. “In the Calgary metropolitan area, municipalities approved $1.8 billion in projects for office buildings in 2007, a 56.6% gain from 2006. These represented 53.6% of the overall value of approved projects in Calgaryʼs non-residential sector. The value of office building permits in 2007 was more than 14 times higher than the level approved in 2003.”72 In the first two months of 2008, the value of building permits in the Calgary CMA increased 31.8 per cent to $1.03 billion, compared to the same period in 2007.73 Non-Residential Building Construction
In the first quarter of 2008, investment in non-residential building construction (industrial, commercial and institutional) in the Calgary CMA totaled $1.26 billion, a 1.7 per cent increase from the fourth quarter of 2007. “Among census metropolitan areas, 17 posted first-quarter gains (in commercial investment). Commercial investment in Calgary and Toronto recorded the strongest gains in dollars.”74 “Calgary experienced the largest drop (in industrial investment). This decline was the result of several industrial projects that started in 2006 and 2007, and are now mostly complete.”75 “For the second consecutive quarter, Calgary registered the most significant decline in dollars (in institutional investment), in the wake of a drop in the majority of institutional construction building categories. Of the 34 census metropolitan areas, 22 posted declines.”76 Major commercial/retail and institutional projects under construction in Calgary (over $200 million) include:77
• $220 million Palliser Square 2 & 3 office towers • $300 million Jamieson Place office tower • $280 million Homburg-Harris Centre office building • $1.1 billion The Bow office tower and mixed-use building • $400 million Centennial Place office towers • $320 million 8th Avenue Place office building • $300 million Keynote office tower development • $500 million Quarry Park development • $400 million Stampede Station retail/office space development
72 Statistics Canada, The Daily, Building Permits, Annual 2007 (preliminary) and December 2007, February 6, 2008. 73 Statistics Canada, The Daily, Building Permits, February 2008, April 7, 2008. 74 Statistics Canada, The Daily, Investment in non-residential building construction, First Quarter 2008, April 14, 2008, p.3. 75 Ibid. 76 Ibid, p.4. 77 Alberta Employment and Immigration, Inventory of Major Alberta Projects, March 2008.
Alberta Employment and Immigration 29
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
• $250 million Rockyview Hospital addition • $250 million Peter Lougheed Hospital expansion • $460 million Foothills Medical Centre redevelopment • $1.25 billion hospital for South Calgary • $276 million Canada Olympic Park facility expansion Major commercial/retail and institutional projects announced in Calgary (over $200 million) include:
• $275 million Chinook Centre addition • $1 billion Penny Lane office and retail complex • $220 million Opus Campus office development • $400 million U of C Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economy Major commercial/retail and institutional projects proposed in Calgary (over $200 million) include:
• $200 million Calgary Eaton Centre/TD Square redevelopment • $1.1 billion Ramsey Exchange commercial/retail/residential development • $750 million Eau Claire Market redevelopment • $600 million replacement building for Tom Baker Cancer Centre • $400 million SAIT Trades and Technology complex • $300 million University of Calgary Experiential Learning Centre • $235 million University of Calgary - Calgary Urban Campus, East Village • $1 billion Edworthy Club health club Industrial Market
According to Avison Young, Calgary remained in the top five of the tightest industrial markets in North America in the first quarter of 2008. Strong demand in Calgary and area for industrial real estate held vacancy rates at 2.3 per cent (exclusive of single tenant properties) in the first quarter 2008. 78 A more balanced market for landlords and tenants is in the 5 – 6 per cent vacancy rate range, according to Colliers International. Over 1.2 million square feet of new industrial space was completed in 2007, and only 23 per cent remained vacant at the time the report was published. Air cargo facilities and distribution centres are the most active growth sectors, followed by consumer products and building materials.79 A lack of serviced industrial land available inside the city is pushing development to Airdrie, Balzac and the M.D. of Rocky View, where developers are seeing cheaper land options and better financial returns.
78 Avison Young, Calgary Industrial Market Report, Spring 2008. 79 Cushman & Wakefield LePage, Outlook ʼ08 Annual Market Review Calgary.
Alberta Employment and Immigration 30
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
TRENDS IN THE LABOUR MARKET This section examines labour market information for Canada, Alberta, and the Calgary Region. The information provided in this section is based upon Statistics Canadaʼs Labour Force Survey.
CANADA
Q1 2008 Employment in Canada was estimated at 17,092,600 in the first quarter of 2008, an increase of 85,800 from the fourth quarter of 2007. Year over year, employment increased by 340,800, or 2.0 per cent in the first quarter of 2008.
Table 10: Labour Force Survey Statistics - Canada
Quarterly Annual Canada Jan-08 Feb-08 Mar-08 Q1 2008 Q4 2007 Change Q1 2007 Change Population 26,751,800 26,774,800 26,803,400 26,776,700 26,692,100 84,600 26,416,300 360,400 Labour Force 18,109,500 18,158,900 18,216,000 18,161,500 18,075,300 86,200 17,846,100 315,400 Employed 17,058,900 17,102,200 17,116,800 17,092,600 17,006,800 85,800 16,751,800 340,800 Unemployed 1,050,600 1,056,600 1,099,200 1,068,800 1,068,500 300 1,094,300 -25,500 Participation Rate 67.7% 67.8% 68.0% 67.8% 67.7% 0.1% 67.6% 0.2% Employment Rate 63.8% 63.9% 63.9% 63.8% 63.7% 0.1% 63.4% 0.4% Unemployment Rate 5.8% 5.8% 6.0% 5.9% 5.9% 0.0% 6.1% -0.2% Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, seasonally adjusted
Figure 7: Employment in Canada
Alberta Employment and Immigration 31
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Canadaʼs participation rate80 in the first quarter of 2008 increased to 67.8 per cent, up from 67.7 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2007, and 67.6 per cent in the first quarter of 2007. In March 2008, Canadaʼs participation rate reached a new record high of 68.0 per cent.81 The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the first quarter of 2008 averaged 5.9 per cent in Canada, unchanged from the fourth quarter of 2007, and down from 6.1 per cent year over year. Canadaʼs unemployment rate has been below 6.0 per cent since September 2007, however an increase of entrants into the labour market caused the unemployment rate to move back up to 6.0 in March 2008.
Figure 8: Unemployment Rate in Canada
Employment by Type of Work, Gender and Age Full-time employment was up an estimated 91,700 in the first quarter of 2008, compared to the previous quarter, while part-time employment was down (-7,200). Year over year, full-time employment grew at over twice the pace (+2.3 per cent) of part-time employment (+1.0 per cent) in the first quarter of 2008. On a quarter over quarter basis, men accounted for close to 80 per cent of the employment increase in the first quarter of 2008 (66,700). Year over year, employment growth for men (2.2 per cent) exceeded that for women (1.8 per cent) in the first quarter of 2008.
80 Total labour force expressed as a percentage of the population aged 15 years and over. The participation rate is important in determining the number of individuals who are willing to work, are working, or are actively looking for work. 81 Statistics Canada, The Daily, Labour Force Survey March 2008, April 4, 2008, p.1.
Alberta Employment and Immigration 32
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Adults accounted for 83 per cent of the employment increase in the first quarter of 2008 (69,900) compared to the fourth quarter of 2007. On a year over year basis, employment growth for adults (2.1 per cent) exceeded that for youth aged 15 – 24 (1.6 per cent) in the first quarter of 2008.
Table 11: Employment in Canada by Type of Work, Gender and Age
Quarterly Annual Canada Jan-08 Feb-08 Mar-08 Q1 2008 Q4 2007 Change Q1 2007 Change Employment 17,058,900 17,102,200 17,116,800 17,092,600 17,008,200 84,400 16,751,800 340,800 Full-time 13,978,900 14,028,400 14,008,800 14,005,400 13,913,700 91,700 13,696,000 309,400 Part-time 3,080,000 3,073,800 3,108,000 3,087,300 3,094,500 -7,200 3,055,800 31,500 Men 9,014,800 9,026,800 9,043,100 9,028,200 8,961,500 66,700 8,831,500 196,700 Women 8,044,100 8,075,400 8,073,700 8,064,400 8,046,600 17,800 7,920,200 144,200 15 - 24 years 2,605,200 2,613,700 2,620,700 2,613,200 2,598,800 14,400 2,571,500 41,700 25 years + 14,453,600 14,488,500 14,496,100 14,479,400 14,409,500 69,900 14,180,300 299,100 Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, seasonally adjusted
Employment by Industry Strong employment growth occurred year over year in the first quarter of 2008 in a number of industries including utilities (16.7 per cent), public administration (9.8 per cent), construction (8.5 per cent), professional, scientific and technical services (6.7 per cent), and transportation and warehousing (4.8 per cent). Table 12: Employment in Canada by Industry
Quarterly Annual Canada Q1 2008 Q4 2007 Change Q1 2007 Change All Industries 17,092,600 17,008,200 84,400 16,751,800 340,800 Agriculture 339,200 342,000 -2,800 336,000 3,200 Natural resources 337,800 338,300 -500 345,500 -7,700 Utilities 149,000 143,300 5,700 127,700 21,300 Construction 1,200,000 1,152,200 47,800 1,105,800 94,200 Manufacturing 1,981,100 2,009,600 -28,500 2,091,900 -110,800 Trade 2,690,300 2,695,300 -5,000 2,652,300 38,000 Transportation & warehousing 854,900 835,200 19,700 815,700 39,200 Finance, insurance, real estate and leasing 1,080,700 1,066,900 13,800 1,061,400 19,300 Professional, scientific & technical services 1,193,600 1,156,500 37,100 1,118,200 75,400 Business, building & other support services 712,800 707,000 5,800 696,400 16,400 Educational services 1,192,200 1,200,500 -8,300 1,173,500 18,700 Health care and social assistance 1,878,600 1,865,000 13,600 1,838,100 40,500 Information, culture & recreation 768,300 792,500 -24,200 768,700 -400 Accommodation & food services 1,045,500 1,063,200 -17,700 1,065,100 -19,600 Other services 749,600 742,000 7,600 718,500 31,100 Public administration 919,100 898,700 20,400 837,200 81,900 Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, seasonally adjusted
Alberta Employment and Immigration 33
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Employment declines, on a year over year basis, were experienced in manufacturing (-5.3 per cent), natural resources (-2.2 per cent), accommodation and food services (-1.8 per cent), and information, culture and recreation (-0.1 per cent) in the first quarter of 2008. “Manufacturing now represents 11.6% of total employment, a record low and far from the 15.0% share observed at the end of 2002, the start of the most recent decline.”82
ALBERTA
Q1 2008 Employment in Alberta in the first quarter of 2008 increased by 19,000 from the previous quarter, and by 63,500 year over year. Alberta accounted for 22 per cent of the employment gain in Canada in the first quarter of 2008, compared to the fourth quarter of 2007. “In March, Alberta added 10,000 workers, pushing the provinceʼs employment level above the two million mark for the first time.”83 Albertaʼs participation rate84 in the first quarter of 2008 increased to 74.6 per cent, up from 74.1 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2007, and 74.0 per cent in the first quarter of 2007. In March 2008, Albertaʼs participation rate reached 74.7 per cent, the highest of any province.85
Table 13: Labour Force Statistics - Alberta
Quarterly Annual Alberta Jan-08 Feb-08 Mar-08 Q1 2008 Q4 2007 Change Q1 2007 Change Population 2,773,000 2,775,800 2,779,200 2,776,000 2,766,700 9,300 2,709,400 66,600 Labour Force 2,066,400 2,067,500 2,075,900 2,069,900 2,050,300 19,600 2,006,000 63,900 Employed 1,999,900 1,994,900 2,004,500 1,999,800 1,980,800 19,000 1,936,300 63,500 Unemployed 66,600 72,600 71,400 70,200 69,500 700 69,700 500 Participation Rate 74.5% 74.5% 74.7% 74.6% 74.1% 0.5% 74.0% 0.6% Employment Rate 72.1% 71.9% 72.1% 72.0% 71.6% 0.4% 71.5% 0.5% Unemployment Rate 3.2% 3.5% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 0.0% 3.5% -0.1% Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, seasonally adjusted
Albertaʼs seasonally adjusted unemployment rate averaged 3.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2008, unchanged from the previous quarter, and down 0.1 per cent year over year. In February and March 2008, Alberta was the only province with an unemployment rate below 4.0 per cent.
82 Statistics Canada, The Daily, Labour Force Survey February 2008, March 7, 2008, p.2. 83 Statistics Canada, The Daily, Labour Force Survey March 2008, April 4, 2008, p.2. 84 Total labour force expressed as a percentage of the population aged 15 years and over. The participation rate is important in determining the number of individuals who are willing to work, are working, or are actively looking for work. 85 Statistics Canada, The Daily, Labour Force Survey March 2008, April 4, 2008, p.1.
Alberta Employment and Immigration 34
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Figure 9: Unemployment Rates Q1 2008 (Canada and Provinces)
Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, seasonally adjusted
Employment by Type of Work, Gender and Age Year over year, there were increases in both full-time and part-time employment in the first quarter of 2008 in Alberta, with full-time employment accounting for 82 per cent of the total employment gain. Employment growth for men (3.9 per cent) exceeded that for women (2.6 per cent), while employment growth for adults aged 25 to 64 (3.2 per cent) exceeded that for youth aged 15 to 24 (2.4 per cent). Employment among adults aged 65 and over increased 15.2 per cent in the first quarter of 2008 compared to the same period a year ago.
Table 14: Employment in Alberta by Type of Work, Gender, and Age (unadjusted)
Annual Alberta Jan-08 Feb-08 Mar-08 Q1 2008 Q1 2007 Change Employment 1,970,600 1,973,600 1,987,600 1,977,300 1,913,300 64,000 Full-time 1,638,600 1,635,100 1,657,300 1,643,700 1,591,000 52,700 Part-time 332,100 338,600 330,300 333,700 322,300 11,400 Men 1,086,400 1,084,300 1,094,400 1,088,400 1,047,200 41,200 Women 884,200 889,300 893,200 888,900 866,100 22,800 15 - 24 years 320,100 326,600 330,300 325,700 318,200 7,500 25 - 64 years 1,600,800 1,595,900 1,603,900 1,600,200 1,550,500 49,700 65 years + 49,800 51,100 53,400 51,400 44,600 6,800 Source: Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry, Labour Force Statistics, Alberta
Alberta Employment and Immigration 35
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Employment by Industry On a year over year basis, there was strong employment growth in the first quarter of 2008 in a number of industries in Alberta including wholesale trade (32.7 per cent), agriculture (25.1 per cent), public administration (19.0 per cent), and finance, insurance, real estate and leasing (18.8 per cent). Employment declined in utilities (-12.3 per cent), educational services (-11.9 per cent), accommodation and food services (-10.4 per cent), manufacturing (-7.5 per cent), mining and oil and gas (-2.4 per cent) and transportation and warehousing (-0.3 per cent) on a year over year basis in the first quarter of 2008.
Table 15: Employment in Alberta by Industry (unadjusted)
Annual Alberta Jan-08 Feb-08 Mar-08 Q1 2008 Q1 2007 Change All Industries 1,970,600 1,973,600 1,987,600 1,977,300 1,913,300 64,000 Agriculture 52,100 54,900 59,000 55,300 44,200 11,100 Forestry and logging with support activities 3,900 4,000 3,600 3,800 3,400 400 Mining and oil and gas extraction 145,000 139,900 144,400 143,100 146,600 -3,500 Utilities 17,900 17,200 16,200 17,100 19,500 -2,400 Construction 193,000 186,300 196,800 192,000 181,700 10,300 Manufacturing 136,900 141,600 131,200 136,600 147,700 -11,100 Wholesale trade 89,600 88,900 86,900 88,500 66,700 21,800 Retail trade 214,000 221,700 227,200 221,000 205,700 15,300 Transportation & warehousing 105,800 101,500 102,500 103,300 103,600 -300 Finance, insurance, real estate and leasing 110,700 119,000 116,900 115,500 97,200 18,300 Professional, scientific & technical services 151,600 161,500 161,100 158,100 147,200 10,900 Business, building & other support services 64,500 66,800 67,400 66,200 66,000 200 Educational services 127,000 128,500 129,300 128,300 145,700 -17,400 Health care and social assistance 195,900 190,900 188,900 191,900 180,700 11,200 Information, culture & recreation 74,500 71,600 69,700 71,900 71,500 400 Accommodation & food services 112,500 104,100 107,300 108,000 120,500 -12,500 Other services 88,900 89,900 92,500 90,400 92,800 -2,400 Public administration 86,900 85,200 86,900 86,300 72,500 13,800
Source: Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry, Labour Force Statistics, Alberta
Employment by Occupation There was significant year over year employment growth across a number of occupations in Alberta in the first quarter of 2008. The most significant increases occurred in business, finance and administrative occupations (17.6 per cent), occupations unique to primary industry (10.3 per cent), and management occupations (9.3 per cent). Employment declines were experienced in occupations unique to processing, manufacturing and utilities (-19.9 per cent), arts, culture, recreation and sport occupations (-15.7 per cent), natural and applied sciences and related occupations (-5.9 per cent), social science, education, government and religion occupations (-4.2 per cent), and health occupations (-2.3 per cent).
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Table 16: Employment in Alberta by Occupation (unadjusted)
Annual Alberta Jan-08 Feb-08 Mar-08 Q1 2008 Q1 2007 Change All Occupations 1,970,600 1,973,600 1,987,600 1,977,300 1,913,300 64,000 Management 164,300 164,900 162,100 163,800 149,900 13,900 Business, finance and administrative 384,500 391,900 393,600 390,000 331,700 58,300 Natural & applied sciences & related 149,700 145,300 139,400 144,800 153,800 -9,000 Health 103,500 102,300 96,300 100,700 103,100 -2,400 Social science, education, government & religion 147,500 140,300 146,200 144,700 151,100 -6,400 Art, culture, recreation & sport 39,500 43,500 47,300 43,400 51,500 -8,100 Sales & service 436,600 445,700 449,800 444,000 442,200 1,800 Trades, transport & equipment operators & related 375,500 368,400 377,800 373,900 353,300 20,600 Unique to primary industry 112,300 105,600 115,400 111,100 100,700 10,400 Unique to processing, manufacturing & utilities 57,300 65,600 59,800 60,900 76,000 -15,100 Source: Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry, Labour Force Statistics, Alberta
CALGARY CENSUS METROPOLITAN AREA (CMA)
Q1 2008 Total employment in the Calgary CMA was estimated at 688,200 in the first quarter of 2008, an increase of 3,400 from the previous quarter. Year over year, employment in the Calgary CMA increased by 15,400, or 2.3 per cent in the first quarter of 2008.
Table 17: Labour Force Statistics - Calgary CMA
Quarterly Annual Calgary CMA Jan-08 Feb-08 Mar-08 Q1 2008 Q4 2007 Change Q1 2007 Change Population 935,800 937,200 938,400 937,100 932,800 4,300 909,000 28,100 Labour Force 706,700 708,700 710,500 708,600 706,000 2,600 694,600 14,000 Employed 686,200 689,000 689,500 688,200 684,800 3,400 672,800 15,400 Unemployed 20,500 19,700 21,000 20,400 21,200 -800 21,800 -1,400 Participation Rate 75.5% 75.6% 75.7% 75.6% 75.7% -0.1% 76.4% -0.8% Employment Rate 73.3% 73.5% 73.5% 73.4% 73.4% 0.0% 74.0% -0.6% Unemployment Rate 2.9% 2.8% 3.0% 2.9% 3.0% -0.1% 3.1% -0.2% Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, seasonally adjusted (3 month moving average)
The unemployment rate in the Calgary CMA averaged 2.9 per cent in the first quarter of 2008, down slightly from 3.0 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2007, and 3.1 per cent in the first quarter of 2007. The Calgary CMA had the lowest unemployment rate among metropolitan areas in March 2008 at 3.0 per cent, followed by Saskatoon (3.2 per cent), and Victoria (3.3 per cent).
Alberta Employment and Immigration 37
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Figure 10: Unemployment Rates of Canadian Cities (CMAs)—March 2008
Alberta Employment and Immigration 38
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
COMMUNITY PROFILES This section provides a detailed profile of the city of Airdrie and highlights some of the happenings in the first quarter of 2008 in the communities surrounding Calgary.
CITY OF AIRDRIE The city of Airdrie is located along the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor (Highway #2) approximately 32 km north of downtown Calgary and 280 km south of Edmonton. Airdrie is focused on the expansion of industrial and commercial development, and its major employers include companies in the retail, construction, manufacturing, and financial and business services industries. “Currently, there are new commercial/industrial developments underway, proving excellent opportunities for new regional commercial, light industrial and mixed-use projects adjacent to the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor.”86 In February 2008, results of the annual Airdrie Citizen Satisfaction Survey were released. The survey was conducted by telephone in January 2008, and represents the responses of 400 Airdrie residents aged 18 year and older. Overall, the Citizen Satisfaction Index was the highest it has ever been at a rating of 3.86 out of 5.0 based on the mean rating for managing affairs of the community; managing community growth and development; quality of services provided; efficiency in the provision of services; value for tax dollar and qualify of life. “We are thrilled Airdrie is continually achieving statistically high points for important service indicators. Several are at their highest level since 2000.”87 Residents gave their city a 96 per cent rating for overall quality of life in Airdrie, up from 91 per cent the previous year. Respondents were asked what they thought the most important issues were currently facing Airdrie. Infrastructure, traffic, roads, train tracks and construction was the top mention at 57 per cent.
POPULATION In 2006, Airdrie had a population of 28,927, a 42 per cent increase from 2001. The city has a land area of 33 square kilometres and a population density of 874 per square kilometre. A local census was conducted in 2007 showing a total population of 31,512, an increase of 9 per cent from the 2006 federal census figure. On average, the population of Airdrie is younger when compared to the Calgary CMA. According to the 2006 federal census, the median age of residents in Airdrie was 32.6 years. This compares to a median age of 35.7 years in the Calgary CMA.
• Airdrie has slightly more male residents at 50.3 per cent of the population. • In 2006, 43 per cent of the total private households in Airdrie contained couples with children, down from 49 per cent in 2001.
• Immigrants comprised 6.8 per cent of Airdrieʼs population in 2006, down from 8.0 per cent in 2001. • Aboriginals comprised 3.0 per cent of Airdrieʼs population in 2006, up from 2.1 per cent in 2001.
86 Albertafirst.com, Community Profiles, Airdrie. 87 City of Airdrie, News Release, 2007 Citizen Satisfaction Survey Results, Residents give Airdrie top marks, February 19, 2008.
Alberta Employment and Immigration 39
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Table 18: City of Airdrie Population Statistics
Statistic Description
Population 28,927 2006 federal census 20,407 2001 federal census % change 41.8% 2001 - 2006 Age Distribution 26.6% 0 - 14 years 15.3% 15 - 24 years 27.4% 25 - 44 years 24.8% 45 - 64 years 5.9% 65+ years Median age 32.6 years Gender Distribution 50.3% Male 49.7% Female Household Characteristics 10,095 Total private households 43.0% Households containing a couple with children 27.3% Households containing a couple without children 16.5% One-person households 13.1% Other household types Average household size 2.9 Immigrant Status 92.9% Non-immigrants 6.8% Immigrants 0.2% Non-permanent residents Citizenship 97.8% Canadian citizens 2.2% Not Canadian citizens Language 98.1% English (spoken most often at home) 0.3% French 0.03% English and French 1.2% Non-official language 0.4% English and non-official language Aboriginal Population 3.0% Aboriginal identity population 97.0% Non-Aboriginal identity population Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census
EDUCATION Fifty-three per cent of Airdrieʼs population 15 years of age and over reported having attained a post- secondary certificate, diploma, or degree. This compares to the Calgary CMA at 56 per cent. The Airdrie figure includes 12 per cent with an apprenticeship/trades certificate or diploma, 24 per cent with a college or other non-university certificate or diploma, 4 per cent with a university certificate or diploma below the bachelor level, and 13 per cent with a university certificate, diploma, or degree. Fifteen per cent of Airdrieʼs population 15 years of age and over reported their major field of study was architectural, engineering, and related technologies, and 12 per cent said business, management, and public administration.
Alberta Employment and Immigration 40
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Table 19: City of Airdrie Education Statistics
Statistic Description
Educational attainment 20% No certificate/diploma/degree (15 years and over) 28% High school certificate or equivalent 12% Apprenticeship/trades certificate/diploma 24% College or other non-university certificate/diploma 4% University certificate/diploma below bachelor 13% University certificate/diploma/degree Major field of study 48% No postsecondary certificate/diploma/degree 4% Education 1% Visual/performing arts/communications 2% Humanities 4% Social/behavioural sciences/law 11% Business/management/public admin 1% Physical/life sciences technologies 2% Math/computer/information sciences 15% Architectural/engineering technologies 1% Agriculture/natural resources/conservation 7% Health/parks/recreation/fitness 4% Personal/protective/transportation services Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population
LABOUR FORCE According to the 2006 Census, half of Airdrieʼs labour force was in the business services, other services, and retail trade industries. Sales and service occupations topped the list of reported occupations (22 per cent), followed closely by trades, transport and equipment operators (20.4 per cent), and business, finance and administrative occupations (19.3 per cent).
Alberta Employment and Immigration 41
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Table 20: City of Airdrie Labour Force Statistics
Statistic Description
Population (15 years and over) 21,770 17,260 In the labour force 16,730 Employed 535 Unemployed 4,505 Not in the labour force 3.1% Unemployment rate Labour Force by Industry 21.8% Business services 17.4% Other services 10.7% Retail trade 9.9% Construction 9.6% Manufacturing 7.4% Health care & social services 6.7% Agriculture & other resources 6.6% Wholesale trade 5.6% Educational services 4.5% Finance & Real Estate Labour Force by Occupation 22.0% Sales & Service 20.4% Trades, Transport & Equip Operators 19.3% Business, Finance & Administrative 11.1% Management 9.0% Natural & Applied Sciences 6.2% Social Science, Education, Gov, Religion 4.4% Health 3.7% Processing, Manufacturing & Utilities 2.3% Unique to Primary Industry 1.6% Art, Culture, Recreation & Sport Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population
HOUSING In the first quarter of 2008, residential sales in Airdrie totalled 268, a 31 per cent increase from the 205 sales in the fourth quarter of 2007. Average residential prices remained stable, posting a quarter over quarter increase of 2 per cent to $350,496 in the first quarter of 2008. Total housing starts in Airdrie totaled 108 units in the first two months of 2008, virtually unchanged from the same period in 2007.
AIRDRIE NEWS Airdrie looks forward to growth in 2008 Airdrie Echo, January 2, 2008 The City of Airdrie is expected to grow from just over 30,000 people to 35,207 people by yearʼs end and the number of properties will increase by 14 per cent. A number of developments are in the works for the coming year such as the Old Hotel development, the second phase of the East Lake Recreation and Wellness Centre, parks and skate parks, and long-term plans for more developments over the next few years.
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Record-breaking construction year City of Airdrie news release, January 7, 2008 The City of Airdrie experienced a record-breaking 168 per cent increase in construction value in 2007, totaling $454 million, up from $270 million in 2006. New commercial and industrial investment increased by 161 per cent in 2007. Permits in these areas increased to $129 million up from $80 million in 2006. Residential permits also set a record, totaling 1,786, up from 1,483 in 2006, with a marked shift from single- family house construction to multi-family and mixed-use residential construction. Local businesses face labour shortages Airdrie Echo, January 16, 2008 Businesses in Airdrie are continuing to feel the effects of severe labour shortages and are struggling to offer competitive wages and stay open their regular work hours. Some stores and restaurants have had to close earlier than their full work day because they do not have adequate staff and others have learned to manage through the difficult staffing issues. Restaurants, such as Wendyʼs and McDonaldʼs have currently had to pay about $10 to $11 per hour to staff—a far cry from Albertaʼs present minimum wage of $8 per hour. Local real estate stayed strong in 2007 Airdrie Echo, January 16, 2008 According to statistics released by the Calgary Real Estate Board and the City of Airdrie, there were 1,332 MLS sales locally last year, up 31 per cent from 2006. The Airdrie annual average sale price of $345,723 was a 19 per cent increase, similar to what was seen in Calgary. Building permits issued in Airdrie for single- family homes decreased from 1,036 permits issued in 2006 to 851 in 2007, but it was still the second highest total in one year. Multi-family permit approvals grew from 132 units in 2006 to 478 in 2007.
OTHER COMMUNITIES IN THE CALGARY REGION Alberta Employment and Immigrationʼs Calgary Region includes the following communities surrounding the city of Calgary: Airdrie, Banff, Beiseker, Black Diamond, Canmore, Chestermere, Cochrane, Crossfield, High River, Irricana, Okotoks, and Turner Valley. This section highlights current information on housing, capital projects and noteworthy news items for each of these communities, where available.
HOUSING In the first two months of 2008, housing starts in the Calgary CMA totaled 1,588 units, a 3.7 per cent increase from the same period in 2007. Single-detached starts totaled 651 units year to date in February 2008, a 44 per cent decline from the same period in 2007, while multi-family starts totaled 937 units, a 150 per cent increase from the first two months of 2007. Total housing starts in the town of Cochrane increased more than threefold in the first two months of 2008 to 122 units, mainly as a result of an increase in multi- family starts.
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Table 21: Housing Starts in the Calgary CMA - January to February
Single Multiple Total % Change Area 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008/2007 Airdrie 92 88 16 19 108 107 0.9% Beiseker 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a Calgary City 450 921 816 337 1,266 1,258 0.6% Chestermere Lake 29 43 10 12 39 55 -29.1% Cochrane 37 29 85 6 122 35 248.6% Crossfield 0 2 0 0 0 2 -100.0% Irricana 0 2 0 0 0 2 -100.0% MD Rockyview 43 71 10 2 53 73 -27.4% Total 651 1,156 937 376 1,588 1,532 3.7% Source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
The total number of resale housing units sold in the towns outside Calgary88 in March 2008 totaled 371, a 40.5 per cent decrease from March 2007. In the first quarter of 2008, 988 resale housing units were sold, representing a 34.3 per cent decrease from the same period in 2007. Average combined residential sale prices in the towns outside Calgary increased 8.5 per cent year over year in March 2008 to $389,200. From January to March 2008, average residential sale prices in the towns increased 10.6 per cent compared to the same period in 2007.
Table 22: Total Resale Housing Sales, Average Sale Price, and Median Sale Price for Towns (outside Calgary)
March March % Jan - Mar Jan - Mar % Towns (outside Calgary) 2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change Sales 371 624 -40.5% 988 1,504 -34.3% Avg. Sale Price $ 389,200 $ 358,869 8.5% $ 387,728 $ 350,411 10.6% Median Sale Price $ 365,000 $ 340,000 7.4% $ 351,900 $ 329,900 6.7% Source: Calgary Real Estate Board
In the first quarter of 2008, sales were strongest in Airdrie (268 sales) and Okotoks (181 sales). Average sale prices in the first quarter of 2008 were the highest in Canmore ($718,320), Chestermere ($526,014), and Cochrane ($450,536) and the lowest in Beiseker ($212,166), Irricana ($242,562), and Turner Valley ($256,783).
88 See www.creb.com for a list of towns.
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Table 23: Total Resale Housing Sales, Average Sale Price, and Median Sale Price by Area for Q1 2008
Avg. Sale Median Sale Area Sales (#) Price ($) Price ($) Airdrie 268 350,496 345,000 Banff 3 339,833 430,000 Beiseker 6 212,166 224,000 Black Diamond 18 262,561 149,900 Canmore 58 718,320 610,000 Chestermere 50 526,014 513,900 Cochrane 61 450,536 440,000 Crossfield 10 341,770 330,000 High River 50 315,761 306,500 Irricana 8 242,562 236,000 Okotoks 181 375,586 360,000 Turner Valley 12 256,783 255,000 Source: Calgary Real Estate Board
INVENTORY OF PROJECTS Alberta Employment and Immigration estimates that over $2.85 billion in major capital projects are either proposed (P), announced (A), or under construction (UC) in select communities surrounding Calgary.
Table 24: Summary - Inventory of Major Projects in Select Communities (> $5 million)
Total Under Cost Location Proposed Announced Projects Construction ($mill) Airdrie 13 5 6 2 209.5 Banff 4 2 1 1 189.3 Beiseker 1 1 7.0 Black Diamond 1 1 10.0 Canmore 7 4 3 410.5 Chestermere 3 1 1 1 46.7 Cochrane 6 4 2 209.1 Crossfield 1 1 5.0 High River 5 4 1 41.8 Okotoks 5 3 1 1 40.4 Turner Valley 1 1 6.0 MD of Foothills 6 4 2 514.9 MD of Rocky View 15 9 2 4 1169.3 Total 68 38 14 16 2,859.5
Source: Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry, Inventory of Alberta Major Projects, Feb 2008
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Table 25: Inventory of Major Projects in Select Communities (> $5 million)
Cost Area Company Project Status ($mill) AIRDRIE City of Airdrie East Lake Aquatic and Fitness Centre - phase 2 22.0 A FortisAlberta Office building 20.0 UC Costco Canada Western Canada Distribution Centre 41.8 P Jade Developments Residential/Commercial building 11.8 P The Tarjan Group Two apartment buildings 25.5 P Focus Hotels Hotel 6.5 P City of Airdrie New West Side AES Station 10.0 A City of Airdrie New Reservoir, NE 5.9 A City of Airdrie 2008 Roads Program 11.0 A Renascence Developments Corp. 'The Edge' apartment complex 30.0 A Integrated Life Care Inc. Luxstone Manor' supported living units 5.4 UC Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation New Elementary School (K to grade 6) 14.5 A Sustainable Housing Working Group Affordable housing project 5.1 P Sub Total 209.5 BANFF Public Works and Government Services Canada New Bow River CPR overpass bridge 8.0 A Town of Banff Joint recreation and community centre 44.0 P Town of Banff Affordable supportive seniors' housing units 5.3 P The Banff Centre Campus redevelopment plan 132.0 UC Sub Total 189.3 BEISEKER Alberta 2005 Centennial Railway Museum Society Railway Museum 7.0 UC Sub Total 7.0 BLACK DIAMOND Span West Ventures Mountainview Condominiums 10.0 UC Sub Total 10.0 CANMORE Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation Joint English and French School (K to grade 12) 20.3 UC Axis Development New Canadian Tire/Mark's Work Wearhouse Store 10.0 P Bighorn Group of Companies Bighorn Mountain Resort 50.0 UC Canmore Community Housing Corp Palliser' affordable housing project 32.5 P Town of Canmore Wastewater treatment plant upgrades 15.0 P Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation Replacement School - Lawrence Grassi Middle School 12.7 UC Stone Creek Properties Silver Tip Hotel/Resort Village 270.0 P Sub Total 410.5 CHESTERMERE Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation New elementary school (K to grade 6) 14.5 A Town of Chestermere 2008 Water utility projects 20.0 P Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation New elementary school (K to grade 6) 12.2 UC Sub Total 46.7 CROSSFIELD Kirollos Development 'The Arches' mixed use building 5.0 P Sub Total 5.0 COCHRANE Springwood Development Commercial development 75.0 P Calgary Health Region Community health centre 6.0 A Town of Cochrane New water treatment plant - phase 1 23.4 P Town of Cochrane Water treatment plat upgrades 12.2 A Inter Pipeline Fund Ethane recovery project 80.0 P Spray Lake Sawmill Recreation Park Society Phase 3 of sports centre development 12.5 P Sub Total 209.1 HIGH RIVER Town of High River Library expansion 16.7 P Town of High River Longview Trail extension 6.4 P Town of High River Water plant upgrades to water system 5.5 P Foothills Foundation Medicine Tree Manor addition 7.2 A Continuum Health Care Supportive housing complex 6.0 P Sub Total 41.8 OKOTOKS Calvanna Developments Calvanna Village phase 3 12.0 P Wal-Mart Canada Ltd. Store expansion 5.0 A Town of Okotoks 32 St. bridge 11.0 P Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation Modernization Percy Pegler School 6.9 P Town of Okotoks Redevelopment of Scotia Bank building into new town hall 5.5 UC Sub Total 40.4 TURNER VALLEY Turner Valley Legion Community Centre 6.0 P Sub Total 6.0 MD FOOTHILLS MD of Foothills/City of Calgary Pine Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant 463.0 UC Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation Highway 2 interchange conversion at CPR overpass 7.0 P MD of Foothills Joint facility for fire and EMS services 7.0 P Non Contact Hockey League QPLEX Hockey Arena 16.0 P MD of Foothills SH 540 paving and improvements 10.1 P Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation New school (K to 9) Red Deer Lake Community School 11.8 UC Sub Total 514.9 MD ROCKY VIEW MD of Rocky View Recreation facility Bow North Recreation District- Langdon 20.0 P Enmax Energy 'Crossfield Energy Centre' natural gas fired power plant 150.0 P Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation Highway 2 & 2A grade, base and pave 30.0 P Olds College Canadian Equine Centre of Innovation 10.0 P Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation SH 560 grade, base and pave 8.0 P Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation Highway 1 interchange at JCT HWY 9 and SH 797 40.0 UC MD of Rocky View East Rocky View wastewater transmission line upgrades 11.0 P MD of Rocky View Langdon regional wastewater treatment plant 23.0 P MD of Rocky View Langdon water treatment plant upgrades and pipeline 70.0 P United Horsemen of Alberta Calgary Race Track & Racing Entertainment Centre 250.0 UC Avenue Commercial Development Development of Wagon Wheel Industrial Park 50.0 UC Ivanhoe Cambridge CrossIron Mills regional shopping centre 434.0 UC Edge School New school campus 30.0 A Town of Bragg Creek Water and wastewater treatment facility 26.0 P EnCharis Community Housing and Services 'Prince of Peace' dementia and assisted living care 17.3 A Sub Total 1,169.3 TOTAL 2,859.5
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
COMMUNITY NEWS Balzac mall project moves ahead Airdrie Echo, January 16, 2008 The developers of a Balzac mega mall believe they have finally secured a water deal for their project. The billion-dollar project will feature a shopping centre, two horseracing tracks, and a casino, and will create over 5,000 jobs in the region. The M.D. of Rocky View acquired water rights from the Western Irrigation District (WID) for $15 million, but an appeal of the supply agreement by Westridge Utilities was stopping progress. In late December, the Environmental Appeals Board ruled the transfer of water rights did not directly affect Westridge Utilities. Non-profits will get summer wage help Cochrane Times, January 23, 2008 Thanks to a wage subsidy increase from $6.05 to $7 per hour from the Summer Temporary Employment Program (STEP), non-profit organizations in Alberta will get some help attracting employees. Every summer, the provincial government program subsidizes wages paid by non-profit employers to encourage higher salaries for short-term summer employment opportunities. Over 3,000 STEP positions will be available in 2008. Buyers seeking homes outside city Calgary Herald, January 26, 2008 A growing number of homebuyers are considering living in smaller centres around Calgary, either for financial or personal reasons. The average resale price is expected to increase in outlying areas alongside Calgary increases of five per cent, but smaller centres will finish the year about $100,000 less than Calgaryʼs single-family home forecasts. Mayor pushing for youth strategy Cochrane Times, January 30, 2008 Cochraneʼs mayor, Truper McBride, is working on a strategy to encourage young people to stay in Cochrane after school. The youth development strategy, in its preliminary stage, would include attracting industries to Cochrane to provide jobs, diversifying housing options, creating recreational areas, improving cultural needs and providing continuing education for post-graduate students. Recreation property buyers choosing Canmore over U.S. Calgary Herald, February 1, 2008 A recent report released by Royal LePage says that a growing number of Canadians are more inclined to buy recreation property in Canada over the U.S. because of the economic uncertainty there. The report says that there is a growing trend in Canmore of buyers purchasing a second or third recreation property—designed for winter. They expect to see a demand in the next few years of three types of purchasers—baby boomers, professionals able to work from satellite or home offices, and foreign visitors. Canadian Tire project still on track Canmore Leader, February 6, 2008 Canmore town council unanimously approved a sustainability screening report for the proposed Canadian Tire and Markʼs Work Wearhouse. The proposed 32,000 square foot project will also include a total of 30 housing units—15 of them affordable housing units. Axis Development owner, Bryan Mar told council the project will generate more than $10 million in construction dollars and will create 15 to 20 full-time jobs and about 40 part-time jobs.
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Hotel group lobbies for support, money Canmore Leader, February 6, 2008 The Banff-Lake Louise Hotel Motel Association is lobbying both the federal and provincial governments to boost tourism dollars in the area. Darren Reeder, executive director of the group says that if the provincial government wants the area to be an international destination, they should spend more that $55 million in tourism levies. Given the criticism the provincial government has received over its climate change policy, he says, the province should be investing in an industry that puts the environment and conservation first. Cochrane housing starts stay strong Cochrane Times, February 13, 2008 Cochrane does not see an end in sight to their residential growth, despite the fact that Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) predicts that housing starts across the prairies will decrease in the next couple of years. Total new dwellings for 2007 totaled 426, up from the 2006 total of 213. And so far this year, there are 36 new dwelling units in Cochrane, compared to 22 in January 2007. Projections see teacher increase High River Times, February 15, 2008 A presentation on demographics and projected future growth given by Alberta Education to the Foothills School Division, shows that by 2020, Foothills will need 836 teachers, up from their current 400. Board secretary-treasurer Drew Chipman says the projections seem high and Foothills doesnʼt expect that much growth, but they will use the numbers for guidance in their planning. Canmore assessment increases by 33 per cent Canmore Leader, March 12, 2008 The Town of Canmoreʼs assessment increased in 2007 by 33 per cent, or $1.483 billion from 2006 to a grand total of $5.922 billion. More than a quarter of that growth is attributed to an increase in property value and six per cent is attributed to new growth. The vacant, non-residential land assessments increased by 57 per cent. Residential assessment increased by about 27 per cent and industrial property assessment increased by 22 per cent. TransCanada plans new powerplant Okotoks Western Wheel, March 12, 2008 TransCanada Corporation plans to start building a new electricity generating plant south of Aldersyde in 2009 with the plant becoming operational by 2011. It is estimated that construction will cost $400 million and will create 150 construction jobs and 15 long-term positions. Power generated will go to the provincial grid and will power 350,000 homes. EMS facing challenges Banff Crag & Canyon, March 19, 2008 An increase in calls and time-consuming hospital transfers is creating challenges for Banff Emergency Medical Services. Expected total calls from April 2007 to March 2008 will exceed 1,600. Peak call season is during winter and most calls are from the area of Banff National Park, not including the Town of Banff. There were also a total of 414 transfers last year, causing the service providers concern because it can take three to six hours to make the transfer. The service provider is looking for ways to manage the system better, such as getting another ambulance, partnering with Canmore General Hospital, and the region purchasing their own CT Scan machine.
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
CALGARY & AREA EMPLOYER SURVEY For each quarter of 2008, a survey will be conducted of Calgary and area companies. The purpose of the survey is to gather information from employers on their recruitment and retention practices and various other employment issues they are facing. In the first quarter of 2008, companies with 100 or more employees were surveyed. Companies with 50 – 99 employees will be surveyed and reported on in the second quarter, companies with 10 – 49 employees will be surveyed in the third quarter, and companies with 1 – 9 employees will be surveyed in the fourth quarter. The survey will be conducted as described above to see if overall, recruitment and retention practices, as well as various employment issues vary depending on the size of the company.
SUMMARY OF Q1 2008 SURVEY RESULTS: COMPANIES WITH 100+ EMPLOYEES In the first quarter of 2008, a survey was conducted of 203 Calgary and area companies with 100 employees or more. Sixty-one per cent of the companies surveyed had 100 – 249 employees, 24 per cent had 250 – 499 employees, and 15 per cent had 500 or more employees. Employers were asked to provide information on positions they are currently trying to fill, as well as anticipated vacancies in the next three months. It should be noted that results are presented as received, with no statistical analysis. For additional information on survey methodology, see Appendix A.
COMPANY PROFILES • The 203 companies surveyed employ approximately 94,029 people. • Twenty-six per cent of the companies have expanded, 8 per cent have downsized, and 1 per cent have relocated in the last 12 months. Sixty-five per cent of companies have not changed the scope of their operations in the last 12 months.
• Eighteen per cent of the companies anticipate a business expansion, and 3 per cent anticipate a business downsize in the next 12 months.
RECRUITMENT • Eighty-four percent of the companies surveyed currently have vacant positions that need to be filled. • The companies reporting vacancies have approximately 3,709 vacant positions. • Twenty-nine per cent of the companies surveyed anticipate requiring additional employees in the next 3 months, not including existing vacant positions.
• These companies anticipate requiring an additional 775 employees in the next 3 months. • Overall, the top resources companies use to find applicants are: company website/internal postings, word of mouth/employee referrals, the Internet, and newspapers.
• Forty-three per cent of the companies surveyed had difficulty recruiting qualified employees in the last 12 months.
• Eleven per cent of the companies anticipate having more difficulty, 13 per cent anticipate having less difficulty, and 76 per cent anticipate having about the same amount of difficulty recruiting qualified employees in the next 12 months.
• Overall, 96 per cent of the companies are aware that some groups of workers in the Calgary region, such as persons with disabilities, aboriginal people, immigrants, older workers, youth, and women are traditionally underemployed.
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
• Fourteen per cent of the companies surveyed have plans to directly target some underemployed groups in the next 12 months.
• Overall, 20 per cent of the companies surveyed currently employ temporary foreign workers. • Ten per cent of the companies anticipate applying for or hiring temporary foreign workers in the next 12 months, while an additional 17 per cent are unsure. Seventy-three per cent have no plans to hire temporary foreign workers in the next year.
RETENTION • All of the companies surveyed reported employees have left their company in the past 12 months as a result of voluntary turnover.89
• Approximately 18,411 employees have voluntarily left the companies in the past 12 months. Overall, one in five workers has left their employer for other work in the past year, which equates to a 20 per cent turnover rate.
• Fifty-seven per cent of the companies surveyed anticipate voluntary turnover will be about the same in the next 12 months, 8 per cent anticipate it will be lower, and 5 per cent anticipate it will be higher.
• The top strategies companies are using to retain employees are: competitive salary, competitive benefits package, learning/growth opportunities, and flexible work measures.
• Twenty-seven per cent of the companies anticipate they will be focusing more on employee retention in the next 12 months, 3 per cent anticipate they will be focusing less, and 53 per cent anticipate they will be focusing about the same.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTION • Overall, 24 per cent of the companies surveyed said the strong Canadian Dollar relative to the US dollar is affecting their companies.
89 Initiated at the choice of the employee.
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Q.1 How many people does your company employ in the Calgary region?
The 203 companies surveyed employ approximately 94,029 people.90
Total Number of Industry Employees Companies Mining & Oil & Gas 20,520 20 Construction 4,888 20 Manufacturing 7,501 21 Wholesale & Retail Trade 3,550 20 Transportation & Warehousing 5,840 20 Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 6,499 20 Health Care & Social Assistance 32,087 22 Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment 3,547 20 Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing 4,952 20 Other 4,645 20 Total 94,029 203
Q.1 Comments
• We also have about 2,000 volunteers that come and work for us. This includes people who might only volunteer for one time, or an event, but we very much value their contribution. – Health Care & Social Assistance
• We are down to about half the size we were. We used to have about 500 workers. We are down to 250, but we are managing. – Manufacturing
• Our total number of employees would be more, but we decided to contract our catering department out, so now we have only about 100 true employees. – Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
• We are actually down a lot of employees, after all the stuff in the news about oil companies and increased royalties. There has been a lot of nervousness about investing in the industry. – Manufacturing
• We are way, way down from having close to 200 employees two years ago to 135 currently. – Manufacturing
• One of our biggest issues is that about 10% of our staff is just not qualified to work for us, but we employ them anyway. – Wholesale & Retail Trade
90 The ʻOtherʼ industry category includes a variety of companies from the remainder of the industry categories: Agriculture, Utilities, Information & Culture, Management of Companies, Administrative & Support Services, Educational Services, Other Services and Public Administration.
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Q.2 Has your company expanded, relocated, or downsized in the last 12 months?
Overall, 26 per cent of the companies surveyed have expanded, 8 per cent have downsized, and 1 per cent have relocated in the last 12 months. Sixty-five per cent of companies have not changed the scope of their operations in the last 12 months.
Sixty-four per cent of the companies surveyed in the professional, scientific and technical services industry have expanded in the last 12 months, while 33 per cent of the manufacturing companies have downsized.
Yes - Yes - Yes - Industry No expanded relocated downsized Mining & Oil & Gas 15% 0% 20% 65% Construction 45% 5% 10% 40% Manufacturing 5% 0% 33% 62% Wholesale & Retail Trade 20% 0% 0% 80% Transportation & Warehousing 30% 0% 5% 65% Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 64% 5% 5% 27% Health Care & Social Assistance 9% 0% 0% 91% Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment 5% 0% 0% 95% Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing 35% 0% 5% 60% Other 32% 0% 0% 68% Total 26% 1% 8% 65%
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Q.2 Comments
• We just moved to a bigger headquarters a few months ago. – Construction • Business is good! – Construction • We have not downsized, but if this credit crunch continues, who knows if we will be able to continue operating as is. – Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing
• We have acquired another insurance company. – Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing • Due to the strong dollar, we simply could not continue to operate with as much staff as we had been. We didn't go about getting rid of people. We just didn't hire replacements if someone quit. – Manufacturing
• Because of the decline in the need for oil field equipment, we have really felt the crunch. Last year at this time we had over 230 employees. It's been a hard year and a lot of good workers are now out of work. – Manufacturing
• The company as a whole has expanded nation-wide. – Other (communications company) • As the city grows, we grow. – Other (waste management company) • We are in the business of acquiring other companies. When this happens, we may gain another office space, gain some employees, and unfortunately, we often lose some employees when this happens. – Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
• We have been growing steadily, but unfortunately as we have grown our staff has been stretched thinner and thinner. Our customer service is nowhere near where it was even 5 years ago. – Wholesale & Retail Trade
• The market out here is incredible. With over 40,000 new homes being built in Calgary we are busier than ever. All those homes need furniture! – Wholesale & Retail Trade
• When another company bought us out, we increased in size substantially. – Transportation & Warehousing
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Q.3 Do you anticipate a business expansion, relocation, downsize, or closure in the next 12 months?
Overall, 18 per cent of the companies surveyed anticipate an expansion, and 3 per cent anticipate a downsize in the next 12 months.
Forty percent of the companies surveyed in the professional, scientific and technical services industry and 35 per cent of the companies in the construction and finance, insurance, real estate and leasing industries anticipate an expansion in the next 12 months. Twenty per cent of the companies surveyed in the mining and oil and gas industry anticipate a downsize in the next 12 months.
Yes - Yes - Yes - Yes - Industry No expansion relocation downsize closure Mining & Oil & Gas 10% 0% 20% 0% 70% Construction 35% 0% 0% 0% 65% Manufacturing 0% 0% 10% 0% 90% Wholesale & Retail Trade 10% 0% 0% 0% 90% Transportation & Warehousing 20% 0% 0% 0% 80% Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 40% 0% 0% 0% 60% Health Care & Social Assistance 9% 0% 0% 0% 91% Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment 5% 0% 0% 0% 95% Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing 35% 0% 5% 0% 60% Other 15% 0% 0% 0% 85% Total 18% 0% 3% 0% 79%
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Q.3 Comments
• We have been growing steadily for the last few years. – Construction • We are already booked through 2008 and halfway through 2009. – Construction • The more houses being built in Calgary, the more houses to clean! – Other • We are planning on additional branches. – Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing • We would love to expand, but unless funding increases we won't be able to. Our funding does not increase with inflation. – Health Care & Social Assistance
• Unless things pick up for next season, we will have to lay more people off. – Manufacturing • We can hope that it won't happen, but it is looking like we will be downsizing again after the summer. – Manufacturing
• If things don't turn around quickly, we are going to have to look into a relocation. We have Mexico and China to compete with, and for what the wages and cost of doing business are right now in Calgary, we just can't. The dollar doesn't help, also. I know everyone thinks it's great, but it's not for us. – Manufacturing
• We are expecting to increase our size by about 50 percent. – Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
• We have been growing every month. – Professional, Scientific & Technical Services • I think we will see some growth again this year. – Professional, Scientific & Technical Services • We will be opening a new store in Calgary in about 2 - 3 years time, and this store will be used to recruit and train all that staff. So we will need an additional 250 people over the next 2 years. – Wholesale & Retail Trade
• If you can't find workers, then you can't expand. – Transportation & Warehousing • We have started to grow, but slowly. – Transportation & Warehousing
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Q.4 Does your company currently have any vacant positions that need to be filled?
Overall, 84 per cent of the companies surveyed currently have vacant positions that need to be filled.
All of the companies surveyed in the professional, scientific and technical services industry and the health care and social assistance industries currently have vacant positions that need to be filled.
Industry Yes No
Mining & Oil & Gas 85% 15% Construction 65% 35% Manufacturing 81% 19% Wholesale & Retail Trade 95% 5% Transportation & Warehousing 70% 30% Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 100% 0% Health Care & Social Assistance 100% 0% Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment 75% 25% Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing 80% 20% Other 85% 15% Total 84% 16%
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
The companies reporting vacancies currently have approximately 3,709 vacant positions that need to be filled.91 Overall, this equates to a vacancy rate of 3.9 per cent. The accommodation and food services/arts, entertainment and recreation industries have the highest vacancy rate at 9.7 per cent.
Total Vacant Total Vacancy Industry Positions Employees Rate Mining & Oil & Gas 367 20,520 1.8% Construction 365 4,888 7.5% Manufacturing 228 7,501 3.0% Wholesale & Retail Trade 310 3,550 8.7% Transportation & Warehousing 165 5,840 2.8% Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 313 6,499 4.8% Health Care & Social Assistance 1,154 32,087 3.6% Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment 336 3,447 9.7% Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing 144 4,952 2.9% Other 327 4,645 7.0% Total 3,709 93,929 3.9%
Mining & Oil and Gas – Top Vacant Positions
Vacant NOC Code Occupation Positions 8412 Oil and Gas Well Drilling Workers and Services Operators 41 2145 Petroleum Engineers 26 7311 Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics (Except Textile) 20 7261 Contractors and Supervisors, Mechanic Trades 16 8232 Oil and Gas Well Drillers, Servicers, Testers and Related Workers 11 1472 Storekeepers and Parts Clerks 10 7214 Contractors and Supervisors, Metal Forming, Shaping and Erecting Trades 10 7241 Electricians (Except Industrial and Power System) 10 7411 Truck Drivers 10 8615 Oil and Gas Drilling, Servicing and Related Labourers 10 7263 Structural Metal and Platework Fabricators and Fitters 10
91 For a full list of current vacant positions by industry – see Appendix A.
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Construction – Top Vacant Positions
Vacant NOC Code Occupation Positions 7611 Construction Trades Helpers and Labourers 50 6471 Ironworkers 40 7264 Heavy Equipment Operators (Except Crane) 30 7421 Electricians (Except Industrial and Power System) 25 7241 Supervisors, Petroleum, Gas and Chemical Processing and Utilities 20 9212 Labourers in Wood, Pulp and Paper Processing 20 9614 Construction Managers 19 711 Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics (Except Textile) 15 7311 Truck Drivers 15 7411 Civil Engineers 10 2131 Construction Inspectors 10 2264 Contractors and Supervisors, Heavy Construction Equipment Crews 10
Manufacturing – Top Vacant Positions
Vacant NOC Code Occupation Positions 9619 Other Labourers in Processing, Manufacturing and Utilities 37 7231 Machinists and Machining and Tooling Inspectors 30 6411 Sales Representatives - Wholesale Trade (Non-Technical) 25 7452 Material Handlers 22 9513 Woodworking Machine Operators 20 1453 Customer Service, Information and Related Clerks 10 1471 Shippers and Receivers 10 7217 Contractors and Supervisors, Heavy Construction Equipment Crews 10 8412 Oil and Gas Well Drilling Workers and Services Operators 10
Alberta Employment and Immigration 58
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Wholesale & Retail Trades – Top Vacant Positions
Vacant NOC Code Occupation Positions 6611 Cashiers 95 6421 Retail Salespersons and Sales Clerks 86 1471 Shippers and Receivers 23 1453 Customer Service, Information and Related Clerks 11 6622 Grocery Clerks and Store Shelf Stockers 10
Transportation & Warehousing – Top Vacant Positions
Vacant NOC Code Occupation Positions 7222 Supervisors, Motor Transport and Other Ground Transit Operators 37 7414 Delivery and Courier Service Drivers 18 1453 Customer Service, Information and Related Clerks 15 1471 Shippers and Receivers 10 1472 Storekeepers and Parts Clerks 10 6421 Retail Salespersons and Sales Clerks 10 6662 Special Cleaners 10
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services – Top Vacant Positions
Vacant NOC Code Occupation Positions 2133 Electrical and Electronics Engineers 36 211 Engineering Managers 25 2131 Civil Engineers 23 2132 Mechanical Engineers 22 2253 Drafting Technologists and Technicians 19 1411 General Office Clerks 14
Alberta Employment and Immigration 59
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Health Care & Social Assistance – Top Vacant Positions
Vacant NOC Code Occupations Positions 3152 Registered Nurses 404 3413 Nurse Aides, Orderlies and Patient Service Associates 170 3233 Licensed Practical Nurses 156 3142 Physiotherapists 37 3414 Other Assisting Occupations in Support of Health Services 33 4212 Community and Social Service Wokers 32 4153 Family, Marriage and Other Related Counsellors 28 1411 General Office Clerks 21 1441 Administrative Clerks 19 311 Managers in Health Care 16 3143 Occupational Therapists 15 3214 Respiratory Therapists, Clinical Perfusionists and Cardiopulmonary Technologists 15 6471 Visiting Homemakers, Housekeepers and Related Occupations 15 3215 Medical Radiation Technologists 13 6663 Janitors, Caretakers and Building Superintendents 12 3212 Medical Laboratory Technicians 11
Accommodation & Food Services/Arts, Entertainment & Recreation – Top Vacant Positions
Vacant NOC Code Occupation Positions 6453 Food and Beverage Servers 66 6641 Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers and Related Occupations 45 6242 Cooks 38 6663 Janitors, Caretakers and Building Superintendents 24 8612 Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance Labourers 22 2225 Landscape and Horticulture Technicians and Specialists 21 6421 Retail Salespersons and Sales Clerks 14 6443 Casino Occupations 10
Alberta Employment and Immigration 60
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing – Top Vacant Positions
Vacant NOC Code Occupation Positions 111 Financial Managers 25 1112 Financial and Investment Analysts 17 1433 Customer Service Representatives - Financial Services 12 13 Senior Managers - Financial, Communications and Other Business Services 11
Other – Top Vacant Positions
Vacant NOC Code Occupation Positions 7611 Construction Trades Helpers and Labourers 85 9619 Other Labourers in Processing, Manufacturing and Utilities 20 6471 Visiting Homemakers, Housekeepers and Related Occupations 16 1453 Customer Service, Information and Related Clerks 15 5254 Program Leaders and Instructors in Recreation, Sport and Fitness 13 7422 Public Works Maintenance Equipment Operators 12 2282 User Support Technicians 10
Q.4 Comments
• We have already done a large part of our hiring for the summer. – Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
• We are actually turning people away for the first time in a couple of years. - Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
• We are actually doing quite well. We are not really feeling that crunch from the labour shortage that we were last year. We are able to really take our time, and not just hire the first guy that walks in the door. – Construction
• I just got about 1,000 resumes across my desk this week, and I am now sorting through them to fill about 50 positions. – Construction
• We really aren't having too many problems. – Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing
Alberta Employment and Immigration 61
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
• We are actually doing quite well for staff right now. People enjoy working here because it is vibrant and different every day. – Health Care & Social Assistance
• This is an anomalous situation right now. We are almost always running 20 people short in the summer. Unfortunately, as you know, the building rates in Calgary have dropped off, and so business for us is on a downturn. We have not hired any new staff in quite some time, and we are doing all we can to not lay off any current staff. – Manufacturing
• We have had to lay people off this year, so the only people we need are journeymen.– Manufacturing • We are always accepting great applicants, but we don't currently have any positions that I would say are vacant or that we are desperately in need of. We aren't having any staffing difficulty. – Mining & Oil & Gas
• We actually don't have a lot of problems with staff shortages. – Mining & Oil & Gas • We were actually quite short staffed even a few weeks ago, but we recently had some contracts get cancelled, and now we aren't really short staffed at all. – Other
• We don't really have as much of a problem as we used to. Again, we are always looking for staff. Cleaners are the most difficult to find because it is not a glamorous position. – Other
• We are always interested in hiring people with experience in any of the occupations we employ. People with 5-10 years of experience are always an asset, and we will find a place for them. – Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services
• We are actually doing quite well for staff right now. – Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services • We could really be hiring across the board. With such a high turnover rate, we are pretty much looking to fill any position at any time. – Wholesale & Retail Trade
• We are actually not doing too badly right now. It's been a lot easier to keep staff over the last few months than it has been. – Wholesale & Retail Trade
• We are always, always looking for drivers. – Transportation & Warehousing • We've been looking for months now. You'd think this would be a choice summer job. – Transportation & Warehousing
Alberta Employment and Immigration 62
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Q.5 Not including existing vacant positions, do you anticipate requiring additional employees in the next 3 months?
Overall, 29 per cent of the companies surveyed anticipate requiring additional employees in the next 3 months, not including existing vacant positions.
Fifty-five per cent of the companies in the wholesale and retail trade industries, and only 10 per cent of the companies in the mining and oil and gas and finance, insurance, real estate and leasing industries anticipate requiring additional employees in the next 3 months.
Industry Yes No Unsure
Mining & Oil & Gas 10% 35% 55% Construction 35% 50% 15% Manufacturing 19% 43% 38% Wholesale & Retail Trade 55% 25% 20% Transportation & Warehousing 35% 35% 30% Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 35% 15% 50% Health Care & Social Assistance 18% 23% 59% Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment 30% 40% 30% Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing 5% 60% 35% Other 45% 35% 20% Total 29% 36% 35%
Alberta Employment and Immigration 63
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
These companies anticipate requiring an additional 775 employees in the next 3 months, not including existing vacant positions.
Total Industry NOC Code Occupation Needed Accommodation & Food Services/ 6453 Food and Beverage Servers 18 Arts, Entertainment & Recreation 6242 Cooks 15 6641 Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers and Related Occupations 12 8612 Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance Labourers 9 2225 Landscape and Horticulture Technicians and Specialists 5 6661 Light Duty Cleaners 5 6421 Retail Salespersons and Sales Clerks 2 6451 Maîtres d'hôtel and Hosts/Hostesses 1 Subtotal 67 Construction 7611 Construction Trades Helpers and Labourers 101 9414 Concrete, Clay and Stone Forming Operators 30 7421 Heavy Equipment Operators (Except Crane) 20 7251 Plumbers 15 7411 Truck Drivers 5 7311 Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics (Except Textile) 5 7241 Electricians (Except Industrial and Power System) 5 711 Construction Managers 1 Subtotal 182 Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing 6663 Janitors, Caretakers and Building Superintendents 5 1234 Insurance Underwriters 3 1233 Insurance Adjusters and Claims Examiners 1 Subtotal 9 Health Care & Social Assistance 3152 Registered Nurses 153 3233 Licensed Practical Nurses 50 5254 Program Leaders and Instructors in Recreation, Sport and Fitness 16 6242 Cooks 2 Subtotal 221 Manufacturing 9619 Other Labourers in Processing, Manufacturing and Utilities 60 7263 Structural Metal and Platework Fabricators and Fitters 5 Subtotal 65 Mining & Oil & Gas 7312 Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics 2 Subtotal 2 Other 6421 Retail Salespersons and Sales Clerks 14 6453 Food and Beverage Servers 10 6242 Cooks 5 6651 Security Guards and Related Occupations 5 7411 Driver 2 2263 Inspectors in Public and Environmental Health and Occupational Health and Safety 2 7322 Motor Vehicle Body Repairers 2 112 Human Resources Managers 1 314 Managers in Social, Community and Correctional Services 1 1414 Receptionists and Switchboard Operators 1 4143 Educational Counsellors 1 9612 Labourers in Metal Fabrication 1 Subtotal 45 Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 4112 Lawyers and Quebec Notaries 7 7611 Construction Trades Helpers and Labourers 5 2113 Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists 2 211 Engineering Managers 1 2121 Biologists and Related Scientists 1 2221 Biological Technologists and Technicians 1 Subtotal 17 Transportation & Warehousing 1453 call centre agent - customer service 10 6662 Specialized Cleaners 10 7411 Truck Drivers 7 2271 Air Pilots, Flight Engineers and Flying Instructors 5 6432 Pursers and Flight Attendants 2 7315 Aircraft Mechanics and Aircraft Inspectors 2 7321 Automotive Service Technicians, Truck and Bus Mechanics and Mechanical Repairers 1 Subtotal 37 Wholesale & Retail Trade 6611 Cashiers 65 6421 Retail Salespersons and Sales Clerks 44 6622 Grocery Clerks and Store Shelf Stockers 20 9619 Other Labourers in Processing, Manufacturing and Utilities 1 Subtotal 130 Total 775
Alberta Employment and Immigration 64
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Q.5 Comments
• We will probably need to hire some new people after the school year ends because many of our staff are students who will go back home for the summer. Also, business does increase - people travel more in the summer. Also, there is always an expected turnover. – Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
• We are open until the end of October, and unfortunately, we have a lot of staff that goes back to school in September. This usually leaves us a bit in the lurch, and we are always in need of some staff around that time. – Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
• You never can tell. We usually have to replace most of the general labour because many of them are inexperienced and find that the job isn't what they thought it would be. In this business we have 8 months out of the year to make money and we push our workers hard. – Construction
• When we are busier in the summer months, we usually require additional labour. – Construction • It's difficult to say, but if this recession continues, we will probably not need anyone new at all. – Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing
• Sometimes we need extra staff in the Fall. - Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing • We have ongoing turnover, so I couldn't really tell you just how many more people we are going to need, but we are always hiring RNs and LPNs. – Health Care & Social Assistance
• In our line of work it is difficult to tell. We can bid on some work, but otherwise, it all depends on funding and donations. We would employ more people if we could, but with how wages are right now, it really isn't up to us. – Health Care & Social Assistance
• We have just downsized quite a bit. The poor US dollar has hurt us quite a bit. – Manufacturing • We are struggling to keep the staff we have busy, but we do accept unsolicited resumes. – Manufacturing
• We will be doing much of our hiring again in the Fall for seasonal positions. – Mining & Oil and Gas • In this market it is almost impossible to predict a staffing shortage. You can have a whole crew quit one month. We deal with this by keeping resumes on hand. – Mining & Oil and Gas
• We do get quite busy in the winter months. We try to have extra staff on for Christmas parties and the holidays. – Other
• In this company there is always a lot of upward mobility, so we are always rehiring for our entry-level positions. – Other
• We are always looking to add highly skilled professionals to our team. – Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
• Because we do a lot of work for the oil industry, we will be busier and will need more staff in the winter. – Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
Alberta Employment and Immigration 65
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
• We try to have a little more staff on for when the back-to-school rush starts. That's the beginning of our busier period. From early September until after the New Year we are busier, and more people want to take time off. – Wholesale & Retail Trade
• I couldn't even guess what we will need and how many. Just a few months ago, we were down to a staff of about 150. That's about 100 people short of where we would like to be. – Wholesale & Retail Trade
• We should probably be OK until the students go back to school. – Transportation & Warehousing • We are pretty much always looking to hire flight attendants and aircraft maintenance engineers. – Transportation & Warehousing
Alberta Employment and Immigration 66
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Q.6 What resources does your company use to find applicants?
Overall, the top resources companies use to find applicants are: company website/internal postings, word of mouth/employee referrals, the Internet and newspapers.
Q.6 Comments
• We had a job fair in early March (which we have never done before), and we ended up with twice the resumes we usually get. – Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
• We actually pride ourselves on not doing any advertising. Our philosophy is that if you hire the best staff, they will attract other great people to work here. Our staff is almost entirely made up of employee referrals. - Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
• We don't have to advertise too much. I think we have a good name in the business. Our biggest problem is other companies poaching our employees. Actually, it's surprising how many guys leave us and then come back in a few weeks. – Construction
• To be honest, we really haven't had to advertise. Once in a while we will put an ad on the NAIT website, but we are constantly inundated with phone calls, faxes and mail-in resumes. – Construction
• We always try word of mouth first. If that doesn't work, we will go to an agency. There are agencies that specialize in our line of work. – Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing
Alberta Employment and Immigration 67
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
• When I started here two years ago, we were having many staffing problems and most of our recruitment tactics consisted of placing overpriced newspaper ads that we got a very poor response rate to. Now, we have really embraced technology, as have many job seekers. Most of our recruitment is done on the Internet now and we have fewer empty positions than ever. Also, we have really expanded our search for and efforts to hire foreign workers. Right now, we have about 27 foreign workers on staff, and they have made a world of a difference. – Health Care & Social Assistance
• We try to use methods that don't cost money. – Health Care & Social Assistance • We would like to have 20 - 25 temporary foreign workers, but our applications keep getting rejected. – Manufacturing
• We are dealing with a lot of stress here. We have tried everything we can think of. We are now begging our staff for help, to ask anyone they know. We are now relying quite a bit on the foreign workers program. – Manufacturing
• Many of our seasonal workers resubmit their resumes year after year. – Mining & Oil and Gas • We are always accepting resumes through our international website. – Mining & Oil and Gas • We actually have a great employee referral program, where the employee gets a cash bonus for a successful referral. – Other
• We have used many methods over the years. Word of mouth is tried and true. – Other • We advertise in newspapers all over the country as well as in papers in the US. – Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
• We do most of our recruitment by Internet now. – Professional, Scientific & Technical Services • We get a lot of resumes all the time, but we also do have job fairs around Christmas when we need more people. – Wholesale & Retail Trade
• We are right by a mall, and really close to some schools which is great because we have a large pool of potential employees to draw on. – Wholesale & Retail Trade
• We actually get quite a good response to a sign. – Transportation & Warehousing
Alberta Employment and Immigration 68
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Q.7 Has your company had difficulty recruiting qualified employees in the last 12 months?
Overall, 43 per cent of the companies surveyed had difficulty recruiting qualified employees in the last 12 months.
Ninety-one per cent of the organizations surveyed in the health care and social assistance industries had difficulty hiring employees in the last 12 months, while only 20 per cent of the companies in the accommodation and food services/arts and entertainment industries had difficulty.
Industry Yes No
Mining & Oil & Gas 35% 65% Construction 50% 50% Manufacturing 33% 67% Wholesale & Retail Trade 35% 65% Transportation & Warehousing 25% 75% Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 65% 35% Health Care & Social Assistance 91% 9% Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment 20% 80% Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing 35% 65% Other 40% 60% Total 43% 57%
Alberta Employment and Immigration 69
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Q.7 Comments
• Very few of our open positions require any type of qualification. We are always happy to train. – Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
• The situation has really improved since end of 2006/beginning of 2007. It's probably a combination of more people to employ, and less work overall. – Construction
• A major problem I have run into is having staff with poor driving abstracts. I have such a hard time finding experienced crew leaders that have a clean driving record that I ended up hiring the guys with the bad driving record and hiring drivers to drive them around. – Construction
• This issue, as it always is in social services, is wages. We simply cannot pay the best people competitive wages. They can go anywhere else in private industry and make 30-40% more. Without a roommate, or partner who has a good income, it can be really tough. Many of our staff have 2 or 3 jobs to help cover expenses. – Health Care & Social Assistance
• We have difficulty finding ANY employees. This is hard work - not everyone's cut out for it. – Health Care & Social Assistance
• We just can't offer people the kind of salaries they are looking for. – Health Care & Social Assistance • The biggest challenge for us has been the ESL issue. You don't need to speak perfect English to work here, but you do need to have some communication skills as well as some reading ability. – Manufacturing
• We don't have a difficulty with this. We only hire untrained, unskilled workers and we train them. All our promotions are from within. – Manufacturing
• We have more problems hiring unskilled workers. – Manufacturing • Of course! Anything that requires experience or positions open at a senior level are quite difficult to fill. – Mining & Oil and Gas
• We are one of Alberta's top 35 employers to work for. We do not usually have difficulties filling any of our positions. – Mining & Oil and Gas
• Things have definitely cooled in Alberta. – Mining & Oil and Gas • We have been getting a steady stream of applicants. – Professional, Scientific & Technical Services • The senior positions are quite difficult to fill when they come up. – Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
• We have had a really difficult time filling the management positions we have open. – Wholesale & Retail Trade
• Recruiting the unskilled workers is more difficult. – Transportation & Warehousing
Alberta Employment and Immigration 70
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Q.8 Do you anticipate having more, less, or the same amount of difficulty recruiting qualified employees in the next 12 months?
Overall, 11 per cent of the companies surveyed anticipate having more difficulty, 13 per cent anticipate having less difficulty, and 76 per cent anticipate having the same amount of difficulty recruiting qualified employees in the next 12 months.
Forty-five per cent of the health care and social assistance organizations surveyed anticipate having more difficulty hiring qualified employees in the next 12 months, while 29 per cent of the construction companies anticipate having less difficulty.
Industry More Less Same
Mining & Oil & Gas 0% 25% 75% Construction 0% 29% 71% Manufacturing 24% 12% 65% Wholesale & Retail Trade 11% 6% 83% Transportation & Warehousing 6% 6% 88% Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 0% 6% 94% Health Care & Social Assistance 45% 5% 50% Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment 0% 12% 88% Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing 6% 19% 75% Other 11% 11% 79% Total 11% 13% 76%
Alberta Employment and Immigration 71
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Q.8 Comments
• We have so many resumes on hand right now that I'm not worried at all. – Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
• We are seeing a lot of people eager and experienced coming in from out East. – Construction • As the new home construction slows, we are able to keep up a little better. – Construction • It is good to see all these apprentices. Maybe we won't have such a tough time a few years down the road. – Construction
• As inflation increases and our funding doesn't, it gets harder and harder to recruit. Even people who love working for an organization like us are finding the bottom line hard to deal with. – Health Care & Social Assistance
• We are losing so many health care workers to the States. The schools are going to just have to up their intake. – Health Care & Social Assistance
• As the cost of living goes up, we lose more staff. We are relying more and more on volunteers. – Health Care & Social Assistance
• We have had some great people leave us because they simply couldn't afford to live on what we could afford to pay. The gap is only getting wider. – Health Care & Social Assistance
• It does seem to be easing up a bit - it's a little soon to tell. – Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
• Unfortunately, this year isn't looking any better. – Professional, Scientific & Technical Services • It is difficult when you are trying to grow and are limited by the staff you can get. We have actually interviewed applicants that 5 years ago we would have never considered qualified for some jobs. – Transportation & Warehousing
Alberta Employment and Immigration 72
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Q.9 Are you aware that some groups of workers in the Calgary region such as persons with disabilities, aboriginal people, immigrants, older workers, youth and women are traditionally underemployed?
Overall, 96 per cent of the companies surveyed are aware that some groups of workers in the Calgary region are traditionally underemployed.
Fifteen per cent of the companies surveyed in the accommodation and food services/arts and entertainment industries, and 10 per cent of the companies in the construction and wholesale/retail trade industries are not aware that some groups of workers in the Calgary region are traditionally underemployed.
Industry Yes No
Mining & Oil & Gas 100% 0% Construction 90% 10% Manufacturing 100% 0% Wholesale & Retail Trade 90% 10% Transportation & Warehousing 95% 5% Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 100% 0% Health Care & Social Assistance 100% 0% Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment 85% 15% Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing 100% 0% Other 100% 0% Total 96% 4%
Alberta Employment and Immigration 73
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Q.10 Does your company have plans to directly target any of these underemployed groups in the next 12 months?
Overall, 14 per cent of the companies surveyed have plans to directly target some underemployed groups in the next 12 months.
Of the companies that have plans to target underemployed groups, 34 per cent plan to target immigrants, 27 per cent plan to target older workers, and 18 per cent plan to target Aboriginal people.
Alberta Employment and Immigration 74
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Q.10 Comments
• Our starter/marshal program, which consists of player assistants, is almost exclusively retirees or seniors. They are specifically recruited for these jobs as well as some of the maintenance jobs. – Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
• We do not encourage younger workers to apply here because most of our positions require a fair bit of experience. – Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
• We really have never gotten to the point where we need to "target" anyone. We like to hire people that enjoy golf, and those people tend to apply. – Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
• It really depends. I wouldn't shy away from it. I have advertised some positions at the Kirby Centre in the past. – Construction
• We are quite lucky in that our busiest time of the year corresponds with summer break for university students, so we can always find that extra staffing boost when we are in a crunch. – Construction
• We have an excellent maternity leave program, which you could say would target women, and our apprenticeship programs would target youth workers. – Construction
• We have an aboriginal group, and we are always actively recruiting people to work in and with that group from the aboriginal community. – Health Care & Social Assistance
• We try to encourage anyone thinking of cutting back or retiring to continue to work part-time or casual. – Health Care & Social Assistance
• We are currently looking into advertising at community centres to target new immigrants. – Manufacturing
• We do have programs to target new grads. – Mining & Oil and Gas • We do have ties with the aboriginal groups in the areas we work in. – Mining & Oil and Gas • We do use community resources like advertising in the Sing Tao Daily and the Kirby Center - which is the senior's center. – Other
• We are a hugely multicultural company. We employ people from all over the world, and will recruit the right person from anywhere even if they are currently working in another country. Also, our parent company is based out of Alaska and has strong aboriginal ties. Although we don't actively target this group, we do employ many people of aboriginal heritage because of our company ties. – Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
• We often offer flexible work schedules to staff that might otherwise have retired. – Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
• We don't really need to target people, but we did recently just hire someone from the aboriginal community who has brought in others for interviews. – Wholesale & Retail Trade
• We would never not hire anyone because of their background, but we do need someone with the right license. We also can't hire youth for driver positions. – Transportation & Warehousing
Alberta Employment and Immigration 75
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Q.11 Does your company currently employ any temporary foreign workers?
Overall, 20 per cent of the companies surveyed currently employ temporary foreign workers.
Forty per cent of the companies surveyed in the mining and oil and gas industry and 38 per cent of the companies in the manufacturing industry currently employ temporary foreign workers. None of the companies surveyed in the finance, insurance, real estate and leasing industry currently employ any temporary foreign workers.
Industry Yes No
Mining & Oil & Gas 40% 60% Construction 10% 90% Manufacturing 38% 62% Wholesale & Retail Trade 5% 95% Transportation & Warehousing 10% 90% Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 20% 80% Health Care & Social Assistance 23% 77% Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment 25% 75% Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing 0% 100% Other 30% 70% Total 20% 80%
Alberta Employment and Immigration 76
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Q.11 Comments
• The biggest problem with this whole thing is the timeline. I just got approval to hire someone after I had sent the application in 10 months ago. When I contacted her, I was very lucky she hadn't moved or changed her phone number. Ten months is a long time. – Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
• It is not something we've even delved into. – Construction • We really can't hire anyone who isn't licensed in Canada. – Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing
• We are currently looking at ways to get some foreign workers, but we are in the very beginning stages, and it takes a very long time. – Manufacturing
• We have 9 temporary foreign workers on the floor right now, and we have applications in for another 40. – Manufacturing
• We have had a lot of success with this program, and we will be using it again. – Other • We have about half a dozen temporary foreign workers. – Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
• For some specialized positions we do need to bring people in from other countries. – Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
Alberta Employment and Immigration 77
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Q.12 Do you anticipate applying for or hiring any temporary foreign workers in the next 12 months?
Overall, 10 per cent of the companies surveyed anticipate applying for or hiring temporary foreign workers in the next 12 months, while an additional 17 per cent are unsure. Seventy-three per cent have no plans to hire temporary foreign workers in the next year.
Thirty-three per cent of the manufacturing companies surveyed anticipate applying for or hiring temporary foreign workers in the next 12 months.
Industry Yes No Unsure
Mining & Oil & Gas 5% 55% 40% Construction 10% 80% 10% Manufacturing 33% 43% 24% Wholesale & Retail Trade 5% 95% 0% Transportation & Warehousing 10% 80% 10% Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 0% 80% 20% Health Care & Social Assistance 9% 64% 27% Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment 15% 75% 10% Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing 0% 95% 5% Other 10% 65% 25% Total 10% 73% 17%
Alberta Employment and Immigration 78
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Q.12 Comments
• Iʼm unsure - it was a lot of trouble. I do understand the predicament the federal government is in and how it conflicts with the provincial government. There has been an economic shift, and certain areas of the country are full of people who are out of work, it makes sense to try and find those people jobs instead of bringing in new people. – Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
• There would be no point. By the time they got here we wouldn't need them. - Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
• Iʼm unsure - the program hasn't been a complete success for us. – Health Care & Social Assistance • We may, it just takes a long time. – Health Care & Social Assistance • We have been trying and trying, but the whole process is extremely frustrating. There are people over there that are so happy to come here to work when no one here wants to work. – Manufacturing
• At one point last year we were so busy that we were considering bringing in foreign workers, but then the industry started to slow and here we are. We certainly don't need any extra workers now. – Manufacturing
• We would if we needed more workers. We have definitely had a positive experience with the program. – Manufacturing
• It has been quite an interesting experience, and we will see how it works out. – Other • It might be something we'd be interested in doing in the future, but I honestly haven't looked into it yet. – Other
• We are expecting 4 to start working in May. The whole process will have taken an entire year. – Wholesale & Retail Trade
Alberta Employment and Immigration 79
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Q.13 Have any employees left your company in the past 12 months as a result of voluntary turnover?
Overall, all of the companies surveyed reported employees have left their company in the past 12 months as a result of voluntary turnover.
Approximately 18,411 employees have left the companies surveyed in the past 12 months as a result of voluntary turnover. Overall, one in five workers has left their employer for other work in the past year, which equates to a 20 per cent turnover rate. On average, the construction and wholesale and retail trade industries had the highest turnover rate at 38 per cent.
Total Total Turnover Industry Yes No Turnover Employees Rate
Mining & Oil & Gas 100% 0% 2,605 20,520 13% Construction 100% 0% 1,875 4,888 38% Manufacturing 100% 0% 1,558 7,501 21% Wholesale & Retail Trade 100% 0% 1,335 3,550 38% Transportation & Warehousing 100% 0% 1,200 5,840 21% Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 100% 0% 1,025 6,499 16% Health Care & Social Assistance 100% 0% 5,687 32,087 18% Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment 100% 0% 1,158 3,547 33% Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing 100% 0% 620 4,952 13% Other 100% 0% 1,348 4,645 29% Total 100% 0% 18,411 94,029 20%
Alberta Employment and Immigration 80
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Q.13 Comments
• I completed over 1,000 T4 slips this year, and I had to mail out over half of them because those people did not work here anymore. – Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
• About 35% of our staff is constantly turned over. – Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
• There is nothing regular about the turnover. Some months we seem to be fine. At other times we can lose half a department. – Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
• It has actually been a very strange year. We have had a very high turnover rate up until last November, and since then we have had no one quit. Not even one person. Since we have had these foreign workers arrive (which at the time we thought we desperately needed), we now have more people than we would like. – Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
• The problem is other companies poaching our employees. Our crews get approached, offered more money and leave. Sometimes they will come back right away; sometimes they come back next season. – Construction
• Last year we literally did the equivalent of turning our entire staff over. It's too early in the season to tell what the situation is going to be like this year. – Construction
• I would say that we have a 30-40% turnover rate on all new staff. – Construction • We have a very low turnover rate and are one of Alberta's top 35 employers. – Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing
• 2007 was a rough year in terms of turnover. – Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing • Our turnover rate has declined significantly over the past 2 years. We were sitting at about 65-70%, and now we are down to about 40% with a future goal of 10%. – Health Care & Social Assistance
• Many of our positions are part-time. Those of the types of jobs we are always looking to fill again and again. – Health Care & Social Assistance
• We have a turnover rate hovering around 30%. - Manufacturing • This is such a problem. Half the people we hire will work for a week and then quit - no notice. – Manufacturing
• We don't really have too much of a problem with turnover anymore because jobs in this industry are becoming more scarce. – Manufacturing
• I would say that the majority of our staff stays on for 3 months and then moves on. We do have a dedicated core of workers, but most new hires don't make it to 6 months. – Manufacturing
• For 2007, our turnover rate was about 60%. We are expecting about the same numbers in 2008. This is a big improvement from 2006 when our turnover rate was running at about 120%. – Manufacturing
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Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
• We are doing pretty well with retention considering the market. Our turnover rate is hovering around 18%. Despite the market ups and downs, we are about where we were 5 years ago as far as staff retention and difficulty of finding staff goes. – Other
• It is to the point where I am hiring 20-25 new employees every month. It is a big problem for us. – Other
• The last I heard, our turnover rate was hovering around 7%. – Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
• I would say we hire a new person every week. – Professional, Scientific & Technical Services • Many of our employees are long-term, we don't have problems with turnover. I believe that it is the location of our store that is the reason, we are right on a transit route, and we are smaller. – Wholesale & Retail Trade
• We have a company turnover rate of about 30 per cent on average, but some positions - like those of a salesperson- might have turnover rates of about 60-70 per cent on their own. – Wholesale & Retail Trade
• I would say that about 30% of new hires quit during their first week, and 70% quit before the first 3 months is up. – Wholesale & Retail Trade
• We usually lose about 2 a month. – Transportation & Warehousing
Alberta Employment and Immigration 82
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Q.14 Are there any occupations in your company that have a particularly high turnover rate?
Overall, 52 per cent of the companies surveyed said there are some occupations in their companies that have a particularly high turnover rate.
Seventy-five per cent of the companies in the wholesale and retail trade industries said there are some occupations in their companies that have a particularly high turnover rate.
Industry Yes No
Mining & Oil & Gas 30% 70% Construction 55% 45% Manufacturing 67% 33% Wholesale & Retail Trade 75% 25% Transportation & Warehousing 55% 45% Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 40% 60% Health Care & Social Assistance 59% 41% Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment 60% 40% Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing 30% 70% Other 45% 55% Total 52% 48%
Alberta Employment and Immigration 83
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Companies reported that the following occupations have high turnover rates.
Industry NOC Code Occupation
Accommodation & Food Services/ 2225 Landscape and Horticulture Technicians and Specialists Arts, Entertainment & Recreation 6242 Cooks 6435 Hotel Front Desk Clerks 6453 Food and Beverage Servers 6641 Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers and Related Occupations 6661 Light Duty Cleaners 8612 Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance Labourers Construction 2253 Drafting Technologists and Technicians 6471 Ironworkers 7251 Plumbers 7264 Heavy Equipment Operators (Except Crane) 7311 Truck Drivers 7611 Construction Trades Helpers and Labourers Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing 1414 Receptionists and Switchboard Operators 6411 Sales Representatives 6663 Janitors, Caretakers and Building Superintendents 1111 Financial Auditors and Accountants 1433 Customer Service Representatives - Financial Services Health Care & Social Assistance 3152 Registered Nurses 3233 Licensed Practical Nurses 3413 Nurse Aides, Orderlies and Patient Service Associates 3414 Other Assisting Occupations in Support of Health Services 4153 Family, Marriage and Other Related Counsellors 4212 Community and Social Service Workers 6471 Visiting Homemakers, Housekeepers and Related Occupations 6641 Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers and Related Occupations 6663 Janitors, Caretakers and Building Superintendents Manufacturing 2253 Drafting Technologists and Technicians 6411 Sales Representatives - Wholesale Trade (Non-Technical) 7452 Material Handlers 9513 Woodworking Machine Operators 9617 Labourers in Food, Beverage and Tobacco Processing 9619 Other Labourers in Processing, Manufacturing and Utilities Mining & Oil and Gas 1414 Receptionists and Switchboard Operators 7252 Pipefitters 7312 Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics 7411 Truck Drivers 8412 Oil and Gas Well Drilling Workers and Service Operators 8615 Oil and Gas Drilling, Servicing And Related Labourers Other 1453 Customer Service, Information and Related Clerks 7452 Material Handlers 7611 Construction Trades Helpers and Labourers 6651 Security Guards and Related Occupations 1111 Financial Auditors and Accountants 6453 Food and Beverage Servers 6641 Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers and Related Occupations 6471 Visiting Homemakers, Housekeepers and Related Occupations Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 1411 General Office Clerks 1414 Receptionists and Switchboard Operators 1471 Shippers and Receivers 2113 Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists 2174 Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers 4211 Paralegal and Related Occupations 7452 Material Handlers Transportation & Warehousing 1414 Receptionists and Switchboard Operators 1453 Customer Service, Information and Related Clerks 7411 Truck Drivers 7414 Delivery and Courier Service Drivers 7452 Material Handlers Wholesale & Retail Trades 1453 Customer Service, Information and Related Clerks 6421 Retail Salespersons and Sales Clerks 6482 Cosmeticians 6611 Cashiers 7452 Material Handlers
Alberta Employment and Immigration 84
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Q.14 Comments
• Kitchen staff as a whole is difficult to hold onto. – Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
• In general, the front of the house is a lot more stable than the back of the house. – Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
• Our front-line workers, who have some of the most stressful and difficult jobs, are often the first to go if they find work for more money. – Health Care & Social Assistance
• Anyone in sales is incredibly hard to keep. Some people start the job and decide they don't like it. Some people start the job and decide they can make more money elsewhere. – Manufacturing
• Any position in the trades has a very high turnover rate. – Mining & Oil and Gas • It used to be just some positions, but now it's all of them. – Mining & Oil and Gas • Entry-level positions in general have very high turnover rates. – Other • It has really just been a problem all over. You can't count on anyone anymore. – Other • Most career-minded people who take a job with us intend to stay with us. – Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
• One of our biggest problems is that we are short so many managers. People who start here in entry- level positions need training, and we have no one to train them properly right now. They get frustrated, and they quit. – Wholesale & Retail Trade
Alberta Employment and Immigration 85
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Q.15 Do you anticipate employee turnover will be higher, lower, or about the same in the next 12 months?
Overall, 57 per cent of the companies surveyed anticipate employee turnover will be about the same in the next 12 months, 8 per cent anticipate it will be lower, and 5 per cent anticipate it will be higher.
Fifteen per cent of the companies surveyed in the wholesale and retail trade industries and 14 per cent of the companies in the health care and social assistance industries anticipate employee turnover will be higher in the next 12 months.
Industry Higher Lower Same Unsure
Mining & Oil & Gas 0% 5% 45% 50% Construction 5% 10% 40% 45% Manufacturing 10% 5% 57% 29% Wholesale & Retail Trade 15% 5% 60% 20% Transportation & Warehousing 0% 10% 35% 55% Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 0% 10% 80% 10% Health Care & Social Assistance 14% 5% 59% 23% Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment 10% 10% 50% 30% Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing 0% 10% 55% 35% Other 0% 10% 85% 5% Total 5% 8% 57% 30%
Alberta Employment and Immigration 86
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Q.15 Comments
• Iʼm anticipating turnover will be lower because I think we've got a really great crew working this year. – Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
• Unfortunately, it is just something that goes along with the industry. – Construction • It's a new year. We are hoping for the best. – Construction • I don't think things are getting better, but they aren't getting worse. – Health Care & Social Assistance
• We'll have to see. This year hasn't been bad so far, but you always get the highest turnover rates in the summer. – Health Care & Social Assistance
• So far, this year isn't looking much different than last year. – Health Care & Social Assistance • I think things are settling down. – Mining & Oil and Gas • So far it's been about the same, but with the cool down, things might change. – Mining & Oil and Gas • It seems like it's getting harder and harder to find people who want to work hard and work at the same job for more than a couple of months. – Wholesale & Retail Trade
• We have just put in place a new retention plan with a better orientation. Hopefully this will help. – Wholesale & Retail Trade
Alberta Employment and Immigration 87
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Q.16 What strategies is your company currently using to retain employees?
Overall, the top strategies companies are using to retain employees are: competitive salary, competitive benefits package, learning/growth opportunities and flexible work measures. Close to one-quarter of the companies surveyed are currently using 4 or more strategies to retain employees.
Q.16 Comments
• We recently adopted an RRSP savings plan which all staff are eligible for. We also offer success planning for staff, because we realize that advancement and being challenged are very important for work satisfaction. – Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
• We give great bonuses to people who stay on. They get a bonus for working 1,000 hours, and they also get a raise after 3 months if they show up for all their shifts. We try to be flexible about schedules, but the people we hire have to realize that we are open 364 days a year and some areas are open 24 hours a day. We do need people to work these shifts. – Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
• One of our biggest successes was changing the policy that family members of staff could not be hired at the same hotel. We have allowed it, and the staff is very happy about it. – Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
Alberta Employment and Immigration 88
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
• We do a lot of things for staff depending on the position. Our kitchen staff has 8 workstations. For kitchen staff, they get a 50-cent raise every time they have mastered a station. That gives kitchen staff an opportunity to give themselves a $4.00/hour raise just for learning more about the job. For servers, they get rewarded with bigger sections, longer shifts or raises for a job well done. Also, we only promote from within, so all staff are given the chance to advance with the company. – Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
• The EDO (earned day off) program is very popular. – Construction • We have an excellent benefits package here with RRSP matching. We also have a recognition program where we celebrate peoples' anniversaries with the company, which is always appealing, and the management I have found to be very fair. This is a good company to work for. It is important to treat your employees with as much respect as you expect from them. – Construction
• This is a great company to work for with a lot to offer employees. They offer to pay for education expenses, have great benefits and vacation time, and offer to top up to 95% of your salary if you go on maternity leave. – Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing
• We have great managers here. We do our best to reward our staff and all their hard work. We know that work shouldn't be the only thing in your life. – Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing
• Of course, we can't afford to give monetary rewards, but communication is very important to us. We have recognition programs, get-togethers and great management who really care about the staff. – Health Care & Social Assistance
• We really try to offer a quality of life to our staff. By keeping our facility well staffed, we can offer people more flexibility in their hours and a less stressful work environment. We don't want people working here who are burned out. – Health Care & Social Assistance
• The idea of working in a union is very attractive to some people. – Manufacturing • We do have a competitive salary and benefits (which always make a difference), but I think the reason why people stay is that we try to talk with the employees a lot. There are at least 2 meetings every month between employees and the managers where they can voice their concerns and talk about solutions. – Manufacturing
• We give staff a $100/month transportation subsidy. We also give them regular raises. We are working hard to improve communication lines and really make this company a better place to work. – Manufacturing
• We have a lot of perks. We have flex days, lots of vacation, great benefits, and there are lots of awards and recognition programs for staff. – Mining & Oil and Gas
• We have had excellent success with the apprenticeship program. We help them through school and I think it really helps them see what they are in for if they choose to stay on with us. – Mining & Oil and Gas
• Most of my efforts right now are really focused on increasing morale and having better orientations and training. Selling employee retention plans to upper management is very difficult because it is so expensive, but so is a high turnover rate. – Other
• Working here is an opportunity to challenge yourself and grow as an educator. We pride ourselves on our extensive use of technology and the latest teaching resources and tools. We have excellent benefits, and our salaries are certainly competitive. – Other
Alberta Employment and Immigration 89
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
• We are an employer quality award winner. We do track these things and retention of a great staff is definitely one of our most important objectives. We make an effort to communicate about the subject and have just launched a new retention strategy this year. – Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
• We like to get creative with scheduling and work hours. We will accommodate the right staff member so that their schedule works for them. We also encourage people to move up in the company and we often pair junior staff with senior staff to help do that. – Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
• We have a great staff party every year, and we try to make people feel rewarded for staying with us. We do our best to operate around people's schedules. Unfortunately, that gets more and more difficult when you are short-handed. – Wholesale & Retail Trade
• I really think it is our management team that makes the difference. – Wholesale & Retail Trade • We really do our best to keep people interested. We had someone in the office that was hired for reception, but it turned out they had quite some aptitude for accounting. We encouraged it, and now she works in that department. We try to deal with people as individuals and make sure they are kept interested and happy in their work. – Transportation & Warehousing
Alberta Employment and Immigration 90
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Q.17 Overall, do you anticipate your company will be focusing more, less, or the same on employee retention in the next 12 months?
Twenty-seven per cent of the companies surveyed anticipate their companies will be focusing more on employee retention in the next 12 months, 3 per cent will be focusing less, and fifty-three per cent will be focusing about the same.
Sixty-four per cent of the organizations surveyed in the health care and social assistance industries anticipate they will be focusing more on employee retention in the next 12 months.
Industry More Less Same Unsure
Mining & Oil & Gas 30% 0% 65% 5% Construction 15% 0% 55% 30% Manufacturing 29% 10% 48% 14% Wholesale & Retail Trade 40% 0% 55% 5% Transportation & Warehousing 10% 0% 45% 45% Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 25% 5% 60% 10% Health Care & Social Assistance 64% 0% 32% 5% Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment 10% 10% 65% 15% Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing 15% 5% 40% 40% Other 30% 0% 65% 5% Total 27% 3% 53% 17%
Alberta Employment and Immigration 91
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Q.17 Comments
• I don't know what more we can do. We give raises, we pay better than minimum wage, and we also give bonuses just for showing up on time. – Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
• We hope to increase wages to stay competitive. – Construction • We are in the process of hiring a recruitment consultant. – Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing
• We have hired staffing specialists. – Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing • Without better government funding, we are likely to just have more and more difficulty. – Health Care & Social Assistance
• We will definitely be focusing more on staff retention – our goal is a 10 per cent turnover rate – Health Care & Social Assistance
• We are looking to do another employee survey soon. – Health Care & Social Assistance • Likely less – we have more workers than we need. – Manufacturing • We will continue to try to attract the most qualified individuals and deal with them on a one-on-one basis. – Manufacturing
• Unfortunately, we don't exactly have a game plan for this at the moment. – Manufacturing • What we're doing seems to be working. – Mining & Oil and Gas • We are in constant communication with our employees to make sure we are meeting their needs. – Mining & Oil and Gas
• Our recruitment team is always researching new ways of becoming a choice employer. – Mining & Oil and Gas
• We will be raising wages again this year. – Other • We are really trying to reduce our turnover rate, but we don't really have a specific retention plan. – Other
• We are always looking at new ways to improve the working conditions of staff. We were one of Calgary's best places to work in 2006. – Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
• It would be nice if we could do more. We just try to be more accommodating and have better communication between management and staff. The union limits how quickly changes can be made. – Wholesale & Retail Trade
• I think that as it continues to be difficult to hire new staff, the old staff will keep getting more and more stressed out, and eventually we will have to do something or everyone will quit. – Wholesale & Retail Trade
• We are working out some more rewards programs. – Wholesale & Retail Trade
Alberta Employment and Immigration 92
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Q.18 Is the strong Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar affecting your company?
Overall, 24 per cent of the companies surveyed said the strong Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar is affecting their companies.
Fifty-two per cent of the companies surveyed in the manufacturing industry and 45 per cent of the companies in the mining and oil and gas industry reported the strong Canadian dollar is negatively affecting their companies. Twenty per cent of the companies surveyed in the retail and wholesale trade industries said the strong Canadian dollar is positively affecting their companies.
Yes - both Yes - Yes - Industry positively & No Unsure positively negatively negatively Mining & Oil & Gas 0% 45% 5% 5% 45% Construction 10% 5% 5% 45% 35% Manufacturing 10% 52% 0% 10% 29% Wholesale & Retail Trade 20% 10% 0% 40% 30% Transportation & Warehousing 10% 25% 0% 15% 50% Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 5% 10% 5% 40% 40% Health Care & Social Assistance 0% 0% 0% 86% 14% Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment 5% 10% 0% 50% 35% Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing 0% 0% 10% 45% 45% Other 5% 5% 0% 65% 25% Total 6% 16% 2% 40% 34%
Alberta Employment and Immigration 93
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Q.18 Comments
• Our buying power has been better. – Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment • We have noticed a dip in profits. – Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment • Some of our American customers have been quite upset that their money isn't worth as much here anymore. – Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
• Some of our supplies are cheaper now. – Construction • Alberta is all about oil and gas. We would have been hurt by the dollar (because of course we have investments there), but the price of crude oil remained high, so the impact was buffered. – Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing
• We do a lot of exporting to the US, so it has definitely hurt business. – Manufacturing • About 70% of our business is with the States, so I would say that it has definitely had a negative impact. – Manufacturing
• I wouldn't say it has had a huge impact, but it probably has affected some of the staff in a positive way because now attending a conference or course in the States isn't so expensive. – Other
• We have lost some work and gained some work. – Professional, Scientific & Technical Services • Almost all our purchasing is done in the States, so the strong dollar is great for us. I feel for all those poor folks in manufacturing, but finally, the dollar is working for us, and it is really helping to offset the additional labour costs we have been dealing with over the past few years. – Wholesale & Retail Trade
• I think our prices are better than ever. – Wholesale & Retail Trade • Because of the exchange rate, many of our products are cheaper now. Oranges and bananas are about 30% less than they were before. This doesn't really affect us though. We pass those savings on. – Wholesale & Retail Trade
• It has actually increased our business because we are doing more business bringing products from the US into Canada. – Transportation & Warehousing
Alberta Employment and Immigration 94
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
LABOUR MARKET INFORMATION REVIEW This section captures information related to other labour market activities undertaken by the consultant during the reporting period.
LABOUR MARKET NEWS HIGHLIGHTS The Calgary & Area Labour Market News, published monthly, provides current labour market information and analysis geared toward job seekers. Below are highlights of the January, February and March 2008 issues. The full articles are available on the Alberta Employment and Immigration website at http://www.employment.gov.ab.ca/cps/rde/xchg/hre/hs.xsl/2396.html
VOLUME 10. ISSUE 1. JANUARY 2008 Heavy Equipment Technicians: Keeping Alberta on the Move Heavy duty mechanics (often called heavy equipment technicians) are the skilled journeymen and apprentices who maintain and repair the buses, trucks, drilling rigs, giant bulldozers, combines and forklifts that help power Albertaʼs economy. In Alberta, there is a strong demand for heavy-duty mechanics, and training under the apprentice system makes it simple to earn a living while you learn a trade. Taking a closer look: Medical Radiation Technologist A career as a medical radiation technologist may be perfect for those searching for a career where they can work with science, technology and people. The most common specialty is radiology – and those who choose to enter this position will find plenty of job opportunities and excellent compensation. Also known as radiological technologists or X-ray technicians, these professionals are employed in hospitals, clinics and laboratories where they operate X-ray machines and related equipment and take diagnostic images as part of a team of health care professionals. Making the most of labour market information: NOC codes and the job hunt A key tool for researching jobs in Alberta, Canada, and North America are National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes. NOC is a system for describing the occupations of Canadians. It gives statisticians, labour market analysts, career counselors, employers and individual job seekers a standardized way of describing and understanding the nature of work. Find out what NOC codes can do for you in this article.
VOLUME 10. ISSUE 2. FEBRUARY 2008 Helping Others: Careers in Human Services People who want to help others and feel they are making a difference in the world will find a rewarding and fulfilling career in human services. Find out what employment counselors, child and youth care workers, social workers, and other human services professionals do, as well as the skills and education needed to be successful in this field. Focus on: Office Assistants in the medical and dental fields The position of medical office assistant requires different skills than a general administrative assistant. Medical office assistants are required to know general office procedures, as well as be knowledgeable of medical terminology, how to check vital signs, perform initial screenings, and file health records. Dental assistants can work as receptionists, where they answer telephone calls, make appointments or deal with insurance paperwork, or they can assist dentists as they work directly with patients. Find out if a career as an assistant in the medical or dental field is right for you.
Alberta Employment and Immigration 95
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Unlocking the keys to success: how networking can help you get ahead Networking is a common term used in professional settings, but many people donʼt know what it means and how it can help them in their career. Wendy Woods, principal of Watershed Training, provides a variety of networking tips for those starting a new career.
VOLUME 10. ISSUE 3. MARCH 2008 Healthy careers in therapy and rehabilitation Calgaryʼs growing population and aging workforce has made the city an ideal location for people interested in medical technology and therapy positions – and the demand for health professionals wonʼt decrease any time soon. Find out what it takes to become a Physical Therapist, Respiratory Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech-Language Pathologist, or Orthotist in this article. How do your foreign credential qualify? For many immigrants, moving to Canada and finding employment in the same field they worked in before can be a difficult task. Directions, a career service that specializes in information for immigrants who want to transfer their skills into the health care field, recommends immigrants first get their language skills assessed. The Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program, offered through Immigrant Services Calgary, helps assess language training needs and also refers people to the right LINC classes for their needs. Braving the salary negotiation: unlocking the keys to success Salary negotiations can be intimidating, whether itʼs during the interview process or a year into employment. Be prepared, save salary discussions for the end of the interview, and try not to be the first to mention a specific amount are just a few negotiating tips discussed in this article.
EMPLOYER LABOUR MARKET NEWS HIGHLIGHTS The Calgary & Area Employer Labour Market News, published bi-monthly, is geared toward employers, business and industry. Below are highlights of the January and March 2008 issues. The full articles are available on the Alberta Employment and Immigration website at http://www.employment.gov.ab.ca/cps/rde/xchg/hre/hs.xsl/2397.html
VOLUME 3. ISSUE 1. JANUARY 2008 Wellness in the workplace Wellness in the workplace is an overall strategy to address the physical, social and psychological needs of a workforce. Companies large and small can implement wellness in the workplace, and with converging pressures on Calgaryʼs labour market, it is important that they begin implementing healthy workplace strategies as soon as possible. This article provides tips on how to improve wellness in your workplace. Best Practice: Suitcase Interactive With less than one per cent turnover rate, Suitcase Interactive, a Calgary graphic and web design firm, can proudly claim they know how to attract and retain staff. Ryan Gill, CEO, explains how important it is that the people who work for Suitcase feel great – because their passion shows in their work, with higher productivity, happier clients, and a growing business. Since its inception, the company has focused its efforts on creating a fun work atmosphere where employees can experience complete wellness – physically, psychologically and socially.
Alberta Employment and Immigration 96
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Industry in focus: Manufacturing As a major player in Albertaʼs economy, the manufacturing sector is booming, and struggling to meet its workforce needs. To help meet the needs of this sector, the industry, along with the Alberta Government, released a Workforce Strategy for Albertaʼs Manufacturing Industry in July 2007. The collaborative effort resulted in the development of more than 40 recommended actions to ensure an adequate and skilled workforce for the future. Featured Association: Get started with the Business Link Starting or advancing a small business can be an intimidating process filled with many questions and steps to take. The Business Link, a not-for-profit organization supported by the provincial and federal government, provides information on starting up a business, financing, marketing, operations management, business law, taxation, developing and protecting ideas, importing and exporting, and e-business. Labour Market Information: Be prepared – watching key economic factors How economic conditions affect business environments is complex, and affects industries differently. But there are certain key factors that have greater effects on each of Calgaryʼs major industries. Knowing what factors to watch can help a business make better decisions and plan for the future.
VOLUME 3. ISSUE 2. MARCH 2008 Making sense of interview techniques: competency, behavioral and structured interviews There are substantial benefits to making the interview process structured, repeatable and more reliable. This is best done by using methods like competency-based behavioral interviews – often simply called behaviourial interviewing. This feature story describes what a behavioral interview is, what it is designed to do, as well as the advantages of behavioural questions. Best Practice: The Calgary Fire Department The Calgary Fire Department is planning to hire 120 entry-level firefighters in 2008. To find the right employees fairly and objectively, the Fire Department, along with all City of Calgary departments, uses beharioural interview techniques. Michelle Turon, Human Resource Advisor, shares information about behavioural interviewing techniques. Industry in focus: Energy The energy sector in Calgary is facing some serious recruiting challenges. Not only is it one of the largest employers in a city with an extremely low unemployment rate, it also has highly specialized needs. While the industry is working to solve its current labour demands as best it can, by focusing on campus recruiting and looking more closely at immigrants for example, itʼs also looking to the future. As part of the Workforce Strategy for Albertaʼs Energy Sector (a collaborative strategy developed by government and industry), the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers and the Petroleum HR Council are working at developing labour market demand and supply forecasts that will help the industry direct its training efforts in the future. Featured Association: BVCWorks BVCWorks is a program designed to help employers get in direct contact with the students, alumni and clients of Bow Valley College. The program offers an on-line job board that all students and alumni can access; a searchable database of thousands of resumes, allowing BVC to find qualified employees and place them with employers; on campus career events; and a temporary employment service supported by in-house testing to benchmark the skills employers are seeking. For more information about BVCWorks and how to get connected with talent visit bowvalleycollege.ca/bvcworks.
Alberta Employment and Immigration 97
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Labour Market Information: Paying Attention – Employers benefit from wage and salary surveys Employers who want to remain competitive in the current job market understand the importance of paying their employees the most current wage rates. To stay on top of current wages, employers can easily check wage and salary surveys, which post the most current data available. The Government of Albertaʼs 2007 Wage and Salary Survey was recently released, and contains information on wages province wide.
JOB AD ANALYSIS Each month, the Calgary & Area Labour Market News includes an analysis of job ads posted from a single source. Month-to-month sources rotate through the following list that includes three paper sources and three web sources: Calgary Herald Working section; Workopolis.com website; Calgary Sun Classified section; Job Bank website; Calgary Herald classified section; and Monster.ca website.
JOB BANK The federal governmentʼs Job Bank was analyzed in June 2007 and January 2008. The statistics only reflect ads posted every Friday during these two months.92
Job Ads by Industry Overall, when the two months are combined, the Job Bank is a good source for those looking for jobs in the accommodation and food services industry (18 per cent of the total ads), retail trade industry (13 per cent), construction industry (13 per cent), and manufacturing industry (11 per cent).
Table 26: Job Bank: Number of Job Ads by Industry
Jan-08 Jun-07 Total Industry # of job ads # of job ads # of job ads Accommodation & Food Services 133 161 294 Retail Trade 103 123 226 Construction 95 129 224 Manufacturing 93 98 191 Other Services 59 60 119 Transportation & Warehousing 51 52 103 Administrative, Waste Management, Remediation 36 41 77 Health Care & Social Assistance 35 41 76 Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 37 34 71 Wholesale Trade 28 34 62 Mining & Oil & Gas Extraction 20 25 45 Management of Companies & Enterprises 22 19 41 Educational Services 18 10 28 Arts, Entertainment & Recreation 13 14 27 Finance & Insurance 9 17 26 Information & Culture 15 6 21 Real Estate & Rental & Leasing 9 11 20 Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting 7 8 15 Utilities 5 3 8 Public Administration 1 5 6 Total Number of Job Ads 789 891 1,680
Note: These statistics reflect ads posted every Friday in June 2007 and January 2008. The jobs posted there should not be regarded as a complete picture of the job market.
92 The number of job ads by industry and occupation may not be equal as some job posting were not included in the analysis due to limited information on the job.
Alberta Employment and Immigration 98
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Job Ads by Occupation The Job Bank is an excellent source for those looking for work in sales and service occupations (33 per cent of the total ads), trades, transport and equipment operator occupations (26 per cent), and business, finance and administration occupations (16 per cent).
Table 27: Job Bank: Number of Job Ads by Occupation
Jan-08 Jun-07 Total Occupations # of job ads # of job ads # of job ads Sales & Service 289 340 629 Trades, Transport & Equipment Operators 220 273 493 Business, Finance & Administration 147 152 299 Management 69 58 127 Unique to Processing, Manufacturing & Utilities 55 61 116 Natural & Applied Sciences & Related 51 42 93 Social Science, Education, Government & Religion 31 27 58 Unique to Primary Industry 14 18 32 Health 15 15 30 Art, Culture, Recreation & Sport 12 14 26 Total Number of Job Ads 903 1,000 1,903
Note: These statistics reflect ads posted every Friday in June 2007 and January 2008. The jobs posted there should not be regarded as a complete picture of the job market.
CALGARY HERALD CLASSIFIEDS The Calgary Herald classifieds were analyzed in July 2007 and February 2008. The statistics only reflect ads posted every Friday during these two months.93
Job Ads by Industry Overall, when the two months are combined, the Calgary Herald classifieds is an excellent source for those looking for jobs in the construction industry (18 per cent of the total ads), health care and social assistance industry (17 per cent), retail trade industry (15 per cent), and accommodation and food services industry (15 per cent).
93 The number of job ads by industry and occupation may not be equal as some job posting were not included in the analysis due to limited information on the job.
Alberta Employment and Immigration 99
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Table 28: Calgary Herald classifieds: Number of Job Ads by Industry
Feb-08 Jul-07 Total Industry # of job ads # of job ads # of job ads Construction 182 309 491 Health Care & Social Assistance 205 256 461 Retail Trade 183 216 399 Accommodation & Food Services 192 204 396 Real Estate & Rental & Leasing 76 110 186 Transportation & Warehousing 104 65 169 Other Services 55 54 109 Manufacturing 67 39 106 Arts, Entertainment & Recreation 55 29 84 Educational Services 13 55 68 Administrative, Waste Management, Remediation 40 9 49 Mining & Oil & Gas Extraction 18 23 41 Finance & Insurance 33 5 38 Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 0 30 30 Wholesale Trade 10 19 29 Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting 9 14 23 Public Administration 3 20 23 Information & Culture 10 9 19 Management of Companies & Enterprises 2 0 2 Utilities 0 0 0 Total Number of Job Ads 1,257 1,466 2,723 Note: These statistics reflect ads posted every Friday in July 2007 and February 2008. The jobs posted there should not be regarded as a complete picture of the job market.
Job Ads by Occupation The Calgary Herald classifieds is a good source for those looking for work in trades, transport and equipment operators occupations (32 per cent of all job ads), sales and service occupations (31 per cent), business, finance and administration occupations (14 per cent), and health occupations (10 per cent).
Table 29: Calgary Herald classifieds: Number of Job Ads by Occupation
Feb-08 Jul-07 Total Occupations # of job ads # of job ads # of job ads Trades, Transport & Equipment Operators 328 676 1,004 Sales & Service 463 511 974 Business, Finance & Administration 180 256 436 Health 108 198 306 Social Science, Education, Government & Religion 74 85 159 Natural & Applied Sciences & Related 36 72 108 Management 48 30 78 Art, Culture, Recreation & Sport 22 55 77 Unique to Processing, Manufacturing & Utilities 23 5 28 Unique to Primary Industry 6 0 6 Total Number of Job Ads 1,288 1,888 3,176 Note: These statistics reflect ads posted every Friday in July 2007 and February 2008. The jobs posted there should not be regarded as a complete picture of the job market.
Alberta Employment and Immigration 100
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
MONSTER.CA Monster.ca was analyzed in August 2007 and March 2008. The statistics only reflect ads posted every Friday during these two months.94
Job Ads by Industry Overall, when the two months are combined, Monster.ca is an excellent source for those looking for jobs in the retail trade industry (22 per cent of the total ads), information and culture industry (15 per cent), professional, scientific and technical services industry (11 per cent), manufacturing industry (10 per cent) and mining and oil and gas industry (10 per cent).
Table 30: Monster.ca: Number of Job Ads by Industry
Mar-08 Aug-07 Total Industry # of job ads # of job ads # of job ads Retail Trade 66 124 190 Information & Culture 57 72 129 Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 34 62 96 Manufacturing 22 63 85 Mining & Oil & Gas Extraction 37 47 84 Transportation & Warehousing 30 50 80 Finance & Insurance 9 35 44 Accommodation & Food Services 7 34 41 Wholesale Trade 2 28 30 Real Estate & Rental & Leasing 3 20 23 Health Care & Social Assistance 11 7 18 Construction 11 6 17 Public Administration 1 14 15 Administrative, Waste Management, Remediation 9 0 9 Utilities 2 0 2 Arts, Entertainment & Recreation 2 0 2 Other Services 2 0 2 Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting 0 0 0 Management of Companies & Enterprises 0 0 0 Educational Services 0 0 0 Total Number of Job Ads 305 562 867
Note: These statistics reflect ads posted every Friday in August 2007 and March 2008. The jobs posted there should not be regarded as a complete picture of the job market.
Job Ads by Occupation Monster.ca is a good source for those looking for work in natural and applied science and related occupations (26 per cent of the total job ads), business, finance and administration occupations (23 per cent), sales and service occupations (23 per cent), and management occupations (14 per cent).
94 The number of job ads by industry and occupation may not be equal as some job postings were not included in the analysis due to limited information on the job.
Alberta Employment and Immigration 101
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Table 31: Monster.ca: Number of Job Ads by Occupation
Mar-08 Aug-07 Total Occupations # of job ads # of job ads # of job ads Natural & Applied Sciences & Related 97 144 241 Business, Finance & Administration 78 140 218 Sales & Service 74 140 214 Management 46 86 132 Trades, Transport & Equipment Operators 27 36 63 Art, Culture, Recreation & Sport 5 14 19 Unique to Processing, Manufacturing & Utilities 4 13 17 Social Science, Education, Government & Religion 2 14 16 Health 5 8 13 Unique to Primary Industry 1 0 1 Total Number of Job Ads 339 595 934 Note: These statistics reflect ads posted ievery Friday in August 2007 and March 2007. The jobs posted there should not be regarded as a complete picture of the job market.
Alberta Employment and Immigration 102
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
APPENDIX A
SURVEY METHODOLOGY The Q1 2008 Calgary and Area Employer Survey is based on responses to a telephone questionnaire conducted between February 15 and March 31, 2008. The survey sampled 203 Calgary and area companies with 100 or more employees. Following are the number of respondents from each industry sector included in the sample:
Number of Industry Respondents Mining & Oil & Gas 20 Construction 20 Manufacturing 21 Wholesale & Retail Trade 20 Transportation & Warehousing 20 Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 20 Health Care & Social Assistance 22 Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment 20 Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing 20 Other 20 Total 203
The ʻOtherʼ industry category includes a variety of companies from the remainder of the industry categories: Agriculture, Utilities, Information & Culture, Management of Companies, Administrative & Support Services, Educational Services, Other Services and Public Administration. It should be noted that the method of sample selection provides a good cross-section of opinion. Nevertheless, given the size of the sample, the statistical reliability of the survey is limited, particularly when the data is reported by industry. The value of this survey, however, goes beyond the data captured by the questionnaire. The telephone interview allows companies to expand on their responses, which provides invaluable information and comments that cannot be measured quantitatively.
VACANT POSITIONS BY INDUSTRY Companies were asked if they currently have any vacant positions that need to be filled. Overall, 84 per cent of the companies surveyed currently have vacant positions that need to be filled. Following is a complete list by industry.
Alberta Employment and Immigration 103
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Mining & Oil and Gas – Vacant Positions
Vacant NOC Code Occupation Positions 8412 Oil and Gas Well Drilling Workers and Services Operators 41 2145 Petroleum Engineers 26 7311 Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics (Except Textile) 20 7261 Contractors and Supervisors, Mechanic Trades 16 8232 Oil and Gas Well Drillers, Servicers, Testers and Related Workers 11 1472 Storekeepers and Parts Clerks 10 7214 Contractors and Supervisors, Metal Forming, Shaping and Erecting Trades 10 7241 Electricians (Except Industrial and Power System) 10 7263 Structural Metal and Platework Fabricators and Fitters 10 7411 Truck Drivers 10 8615 Oil and Gas Drilling, Servicing and Related Labourers 10 1411 General Office Clerks 9 2233 Industrial Engineering and Manufacturing Technologists and Technicians 9 1111 Financial Auditors and Accountants 8 2145 Petroleum Engineers 8 2171 Information Systems Analysts and Consultants 6 2211 Chemical Technologists and Technicians 6 4163 Business Development Officers and Marketing Researchers and Consultants 6 1112 Financial and Investment Analysts 5 2113 Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists 5 7412 Bus Drivers, Subway Operators and Other Transit Operators 5 811 Primary Production Managers (Except Agriculture) 4 2131 Civil Engineers 4 2212 Geological and Mineral Technologists and Technicians 4 114 Other Administrative Services Managers 3 1121 Specialists in Human Resources 3 1122 Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management 3 2232 Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians 3 8222 Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling and Service 3 721 Facility Operation and Maintenance Managers 2 1221 Administrative Officers 2 1225 Purchasing Agents and Officers 2 1414 Receptionists and Switchboard Operators 2 2141 Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers 2 2153 Urban and Land Use Planners 2 2241 Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians 2 2243 Industrial Instrument Technicians and Mechanics 2 6221 Technical Sales Specialists – Wholesale Trade 2 111 Financial Managers 1 113 Purchasing Managers 1 912 Utilities Managers 1 1212 Supervisors, Finance and Insurance Clerks 1 1431 Accounting and Related Clerks 1 1441 Administrative Clerks 1 1476 Transportation Route and Crew Schedulers 1 2132 Mechanical Engineers 1 2146 Aerospace Engineers 1 2148 Other Professional Engineers, n.e.c. 1 2154 Land Surveyors 1 2172 Database Analysts and Data Administrators 1 2173 Software Engineers and Designers 1 2231 Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians 1 2253 Drafting Technologists and Technicians 1 2282 User Support Technicians 1 4131 College and Other Vocational Instructors 1 4134 College and Other Vocational Instructors 1 4161 Natural and Applied Science Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers 1 4164 Social Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers 1 4165 Health Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers 1 5124 Professional Occupations in Public Relations and Communications 1 5241 Graphic Designers and Illustrators 1 6211 Retail Trade Supervisors 1 6411 Sales Representatives - Wholesale Trade (Non-Technical) 1 7217 Contractors and Supervisors, Heavy Construction Equipment Crews 1 7313 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics 1 7351 Stationary Engineers and Auxiliary Equipment Operato 1 8255 Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance Contractors and Managers 1 Occupation not specified 52 Total 367
Alberta Employment and Immigration 104
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Construction – Vacant Positions
Vacant NOC Code Occupation Positions 7611 Construction Trades Helpers and Labourers 50 7264 Ironworkers 40 7421 Heavy Equipment Operators (Except Crane) 30 7241 Electricians (Except Industrial and Power System) 25 9212 Supervisors, Petroleum, Gas and Chemical Processing and Utilities 20 9614 Labourers in Wood, Pulp and Paper Processing 20 711 Construction Managers 19 7311 Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics (Except Textile) 15 7411 Truck Drivers 15 2131 Civil Engineers 10 2264 Construction Inspectors 10 7217 Contractors and Supervisors, Heavy Construction Equipment Crews 10 7271 Carpenters 6 1422 Personnel Clerks 5 2253 Drafting Technologists and Technicians 5 7282 Concrete Finishers 5 7371 Crane Operators 5 7621 Public Works and Maintenance Labourers 5 1411 General Office Clerks 4 2232 Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians 4 2234 Construction Estimators 4 2133 Electrical and Electronics Engineers 2 2231 Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians 2 7312 Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics 2 2132 Mechanical Engineers 1 2211 Chemical Technologists and Technicians 1 2274 Engineer Officers, Water Transport 1 7261 Sheet Metal Workers 1 Occupations not specified 48 Total 365
Alberta Employment and Immigration 105
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Manufacturing – Vacant Positions
Vacant NOC Code Occupation Positions 9619 Other Labourers in Processing, Manufacturing and Utilities 37 7231 Machinists and Machining and Tooling Inspectors 30 6411 Sales Representatives - Wholesale Trade (Non-Technical) 25 7452 Material Handlers 22 9513 Woodworking Machine Operators 20 1453 Customer Service, Information and Related Clerks 10 1471 Shippers and Receivers 10 7217 Contractors and Supervisors, Heavy Construction Equipment Crews 10 8412 Oil and Gas Well Drilling Workers and Services Operators 10 2253 Drafting Technologists and Technicians 6 7311 Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics (Except Textile) 6 9222 Supervisors, Electronics Manufacturing 4 621 Retail Trade Managers 3 911 Manufacturing Managers 3 7265 Welders and Related Machine Operators 3 9214 Supervisors, Plastic and Rubber Products Manufacturing 3 112 Human Resources Managers 2 211 Engineering Managers 2 1411 General Office Clerks 2 1441 Administrative Clerks 2 2123 Agricultural Representatives, Consultants and Specialists 2 2132 Mechanical Engineers 2 2141 Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers 2 13 Senior Managers - Financial, Communications and Other Business Services 1 114 Other Administrative Services Managers 1 713 Transportation Managers 1 1111 Financial Auditors and Accountants 1 1215 Supervisors, Recording, Distributing and Scheduling Occupations 1 1432 Payroll Clerks 1 4131 College and Other Vocational Instructors 1 4161 Natural and Applied Science Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers 1 6233 Retail and Wholesale buyers 1 7241 Electricians (Except Industrial and Power System) 1 7312 Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics 1 9226 Supervisors, Plastic and Rubber Products Manufacturing 1 Total 228
Alberta Employment and Immigration 106
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Wholesale & Retail Trades – Vacant Positions
Vacant NOC Code Occupation Positions 6611 Cashiers 95 6421 Retail Salespersons and Sales Clerks 86 1471 Shippers and Receivers 23 1453 Customer Service, Information and Related Clerks 11 6622 Grocery Clerks and Store Shelf Stockers 10 7452 Material Handlers 8 621 Retail Trade Managers 7 1411 General Office Clerks 7 6662 Specialized Cleaners 7 6482 Estheticians, Electrologists and Related Occupations 6 6251 Butchers, Meat Cutters and Fishmongers - Retail and Wholesale 5 6434 Ticket Agents, Cargo Service Representatives and Related Clerks (Except Airline) 5 6651 Security Guards and Related Occupations 5 7321 Automotive Service Technicians, Truck and Bus Mechanics and Mechanical Repairers 5 9617 Labourers in Food, Beverage and Tobacco Processing 5 6252 Bakers 3 111 Financial Managers 2 1121 Specialists in Human Resources 2 1414 Receptionists and Switchboard Operators 2 1472 Storekeepers and Parts Clerks 2 2242 Electronic Service Technicians (Household and Business Equipment) 2 7216 Contractors and Supervisors, Mechanic Trades 2 7322 Motor Vehicle Body Repairers 2 16 Senior Managers - Goods Production, Utilities, Transportation and Construction 1 113 Purchasing Managers 1 611 Sales, Marketing and Advertising Managers 1 6411 Sales Representatives - Wholesale Trade (Non-Technical) 1 6465 Other Protective Service Occupations 1 7351 Stationary Engineers and Auxiliary Equipment Operators 1 7412 Bus Drivers, Subway Operators and Other Transit Operators 1 9492 Furniture and Fixture Assemblers and Inspectors 1 Total 310
Alberta Employment and Immigration 107
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Transportation & Warehousing – Vacant Positions
Vacant NOC Code Occupation Positions 7222 Supervisors, Motor Transport and Other Ground Transit Operators 37 7414 Delivery and Courier Service Drivers 18 1453 Customer Service, Information and Related Clerks 15 1471 Shippers and Receivers 10 1472 Storekeepers and Parts Clerks 10 6421 Retail Salespersons and Sales Clerks 10 6662 Special Cleaners 10 7452 Material Handlers 6 713 Transportation Managers 3 7321 Automotive Service Technicians, Truck and Bus Mechanics and Mechanical Repairers 3 1111 Financial Auditors and Accountants 2 1212 Supervisors, Finance and Insurance Clerks 2 1225 Purchasing Agents and Officers 2 1414 Receptionists and Switchboard Operators 2 2131 Civil Engineers 2 2141 Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers 2 2174 Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers 2 2255 Mapping and Related Technologists and Technicians 2 2271 Air Pilots, Flight Engineers and Flying Instructors 2 4162 Economists and Economic Policy Researchers and Analysts 2 7216 Contractors and Supervisors, Mechanic Trades 2 6221 Technical Sales Specialists - Wholesale Trade 2 13 Senior Managers - Financial, Communications and Other Business Services 1 111 Financial Managers 1 114 Other Administrative Services Managers 1 721 Facility Operation and Maintenance Managers 1 1112 Financial and Investment Analysts 1 1122 Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management 1 1215 Supervisors, Recording, Distributing and Scheduling Occupations 1 1223 Personnel and Recruitment Officers 1 1476 Transportation Route and Crew Schedulers 1 2132 Mechanical Engineers 1 2231 Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians 1 2145 Petroleum Engineers 1 Occupations not specified 7 Total 165
Alberta Employment and Immigration 108
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services – Vacant Positions
Vacant NOC Code Occupation Positions 2133 Electrical and Electronics Engineers 36 211 Engineering Managers 25 2131 Civil Engineers 23 2132 Mechanical Engineers 22 2253 Drafting Technologists and Technicians 19 1411 General Office Clerks 14 4112 Lawyers and Quebec Notaries 9 4211 Paralegal and Related Occupations 9 1221 Administrative Officers 8 2171 Information Systems Analysts and Consultants 8 2241 Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians 8 1414 Receptionists and Switchboard Operators 7 2121 Biologists and Related Scientists 6 1121 Specialists in Human Resources 5 1225 Purchasing Agents and Officers 5 711 Construction Managers 4 2146 Aerospace Engineers 4 2172 Database Analysts and Data Administrators 4 2232 Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians 4 113 Purchasing Managers 3 212 Architecture and Science Managers 3 1122 Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management 3 2174 Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers 3 2212 Geological and Mineral Technologists and Technicians 3 2231 Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians 3 7352 Power Systems and Power Station Operators 3 2145 Petroleum Engineers 3 1473 Production Clerks 3 13 Senior Managers - Financial, Communications and Other Business Services 2 16 Senior Managers - Goods Production, Utilities, Transportation and Construction 2 131 Telecommunication Carriers Managers 2 611 Sales, Marketing and Advertising Managers 2 912 Utilities Managers 2 1111 Financial Auditors and Accountants 2 1112 Financial and Investment Analysts 2 1453 Customer Service, Information and Related Clerks 2 1471 Shippers and Receivers 2 2143 Mining Engineers 2 2147 Computer Engineers (Except Software Engineers and Designers) 2 2282 User Support Technicians 2 3211 Medical Laboratory Technologists and Pathologists' Assistants 2 4165 Health Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers 2 6411 Sales Representatives - Wholesale Trade (Non-Technical) 2 6221 Technical Sales Specialists - Wholesale Trade 2 2142 Metallurgical and Materials Engineers 2 2151 Architects 2 112 Human Resources Managers 1 123 Other Business Services Managers 1 911 Manufacturing Managers 1 1211 Supervisors, General Office and Administrative Support Clerks 1 1212 Supervisors, Finance and Insurance Clerks 1 1223 Personnel and Recruitment Officers 1 1413 Records Management and Filing Clerks 1 1442 Personnel Clerks 1 2113 Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists 1 2115 Other Professional Occupations in Physical Sciences 1 2141 Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers 1 2144 Geological Engineers 1 2148 Other Professional Engineers, n.e.c. 1 2173 Software Engineers and Designers 1 2234 Construction Estimators 1 2263 Inspectors in Public and Environmental Health and Occupational Health and Safety 1 2281 Computer Network Technicians 1 4161 Natural and Applied Science Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers 1 7212 Contractors and Supervisors, Electrical Trades and Telecommunications Occupations 1 7262 Boilermakers 1 7265 Welders and Related Machine Operators 1 7271 Carpenters 1 9444 Textile Inspectors, Graders and Samplers 1 1474 Purchasing and Inventory Clerks 1 2134 Chemical Engineers 1 2161 Non-Destructive Testers and Inspectors 1 2162 Engineering Inspectors and Regulatory Officers 1 4169 Other Professional Occupations in Social Science, n.e.c. 1 5122 Editors 1 5242 Interior Designers 1 Total 313
Alberta Employment and Immigration 109
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Health Care & Social Assistance – Vacant Positions
Vacant NOC Code Occupations Positions 3152 Registered Nurses 404 3413 Nurse Aides, Orderlies and Patient Service Associates 170 3233 Licensed Practical Nurses 156 3142 Physiotherapists 37 3414 Other Assisting Occupations in Support of Health Services 33 4212 Community and Social Service Wokers 32 4153 Family, Marriage and Other Related Counsellors 28 1411 General Office Clerks 21 1441 Administrative Clerks 19 311 Managers in Health Care 16 3143 Occupational Therapists 15 3214 Respiratory Therapists, Clinical Perfusionists and Cardiopulmonary Technologists 15 6471 Visiting Homemakers, Housekeepers and Related Occupations 15 3215 Medical Radiation Technologists 13 6663 Janitors, Caretakers and Building Superintendents 12 3212 Medical Laboratory Technicians 11 631 Restaurant and Food Service Managers 8 4165 Health Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers 8 3131 Pharmacists 8 1433 Customer Service Representatives - Financial Services 7 3216 Medical Sonographers 7 1215 Supervisors, Recording, Distributing and Scheduling Occupations 6 1422 Data Entry Clerks 6 4167 Recreation, Sports and Fitness Program Supervisors and Consultants 6 6651 Security Guards and Related Occupations 6 6671 Operators and Attendants in Amusement, Recreation and Sport 5 1243 Medical Secretaries 5 6242 Cooks 4 6641 Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers and Related Occupations 4 1244 Court Recorders and Medical Transcriptionists 4 1112 Financial and Investment Analysts 3 1414 Receptionists and Switchboard Operators 3 1434 Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Clerks 3 1453 Customer Service, Information and Related Clerks 3 3132 Dietitians and Nutritionists 3 3211 Medical Laboratory Technologists and Pathologists' Assistants 3 4151 Psychologists 3 7412 Bus Drivers, Subway Operators and Other Transit Operators 3 1454 Survey Interviewers and Statistical Clerks 3 3141 Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists 3 114 Other Administrative Services Managers 2 314 Managers in Social, Community and Correctional Services 2 651 Other Services Managers 2 1121 Specialists in Human Resources 2 1413 Records Management and Filing Clerks 2 1472 Storekeepers and Parts Clerks 2 3111 Specialist Physicians 2 3144 Other Professional Occupations in Therapy and Assessment 2 3151 Head Nurses and Supervisors 2 5254 Program Leaders and Instructors in Recreation, Sport and Fitness 2 3411 Dental Assistants 2 4154 Ministers of Religion 2 112 Human Resources Managers 1 513 Recreation, Sports and Fitness Program and Service Directors 1 632 Accommodation Service Managers 1 1431 Accounting and Related Clerks 1 1442 Personnel Clerks 1 2171 Information Systems Analysts and Consultants 1 2243 Industrial Instrument Technicians and Mechanics 1 2262 Engineering Inspectors and Regulatory Officers 1 3217 Cardiology Technologists 1 5124 Professional Occupations in Public Relations and Communications 1 6453 Food and Beverage Servers 1 6661 Light Duty Cleaners 1 7241 Electricians (Except Industrial and Power System) 1 3235 Other Technical Occupations in Therapy and Assessment 1 6681 Dry Cleaning and Laundry Occupations 1 7251 Plumbers 1 1213 Supervisors, Library, Correspondence and Related Information Clerks 1 3113 Dentists 1 3234 Ambulance Attendants and Other Paramedical Occupations 1 Total 1,154
Alberta Employment and Immigration 110
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Accommodation & Food Services/Arts, Entertainment & Recreation – Vacant Positions
Vacant NOC Code Occupation Positions 6453 Food and Beverage Servers 66 6641 Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers and Related Occupations 45 6242 Cooks 38 6663 Janitors, Caretakers and Building Superintendents 24 8612 Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance Labourers 22 2225 Landscape and Horticulture Technicians and Specialists 21 6421 Retail Salespersons and Sales Clerks 14 6443 Casino Occupations 10 6452 Bartenders 8 6435 Hotel Front Desk Clerks 6 6661 Light Duty Cleaners 6 6671 Operators and Attendants in Amusement, Recreation and Sport 6 6672 Other Attendants in Accommodation and Travel 6 8256 Supervisors, Landscape and Horticulture 5 6651 Security Guards and Related Occupations 4 632 Accommodation Service Managers 3 5231 Announcers and Other Broadcasters 3 6451 Maîtres d'hôtel and Hosts/Hostesses 3 6212 Food Service Supervisors 3 631 Restaurant and Food Service Managers 2 2132 Mechanical Engineers 2 6213 Executive Housekeepers 2 6683 Other Elemental Service Occupations 2 7621 Public Works and Maintenance Labourers 2 3235 Other Technical Occupations in Therapy and Assessment 2 111 Financial Managers 1 211 Engineering Managers 1 611 Sales, Marketing and Advertising Managers 1 621 Retail Trade Managers 1 721 Facility Operation and Maintenance Managers 1 1431 Accounting and Related Clerks 1 2281 Computer Network Technicians 1 6482 Esthetician 1 7271 Carpenters 1 6241 Chefs 1 6681 Dry Cleaning and Laundry Occupations 1 Occupation not specified 20 Total 336
Alberta Employment and Immigration 111
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing – Vacant Positions
Vacant NOC Code Occupation Positions 111 Financial Managers 25 1112 Financial and Investment Analysts 17 1433 Customer Service Representatives - Financial Services 12 13 Senior Managers - Financial, Communications and Other Business Services 11 1111 Financial Auditors and Accountants 8 1411 General Office Clerks 6 122 Banking, Credit and Other Investment Managers 5 1223 Personnel and Recruitment Officers 5 6663 Janitors, Caretakers and Building Superintendents 5 1121 Specialists in Human Resources 3 1434 Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Clerks 3 2172 Database Analysts and Data Administrators 3 6453 Food and Beverage Servers 3 121 Insurance, Real Estate and Financial Brokerage Managers 2 213 Computer and Information Systems Managers 2 721 Facility Operation and Maintenance Managers 2 1212 Supervisors, Finance and Insurance Clerks 2 1413 Records Management and Filing Clerks 2 1414 Receptionists and Switchboard Operators 2 2171 Information Systems Analysts and Consultants 2 4211 Paralegal and Related Occupations 2 6421 Retail Salespersons and Sales Clerks 2 1113 Securities Agents, Investment Dealers and Brokers 2 14 Senior Managers – Health, Education, Social and Community Services and Membership Organizations 1 114 Other Administrative Services Managers 1 123 Other Business Services Managers 1 411 Government Managers - Health and Social Policy Development and Program Administration 1 412 Government Managers - Economic Analysis, Policy Development and Program Administration 1 1122 Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management 1 1211 Supervisors, General Office and Administrative Support Clerks 1 1231 Bookkeepers 1 1431 Accounting and Related Clerks 1 1453 Customer Service, Information and Related Clerks 1 1461 Mail, Postal and Related Clerks 1 2241 Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians 1 2282 User Support Technicians 1 4163 Business Development Officers and Marketing Researchers and Consultants 1 7241 Electricians (Except Industrial and Power System) 1 7271 Carpenters 1 1114 Other Financial Officers 1 7251 Plumbers 1 Total 144
Alberta Employment and Immigration 112
Calgary & Area Labour Market Report – First Quarter 2008
Other – Vacant Positions
Vacant NOC Code Occupation Positions 7611 Construction Trades Helpers and Labourers 85 9619 Other Labourers in Processing, Manufacturing and Utilities 20 6471 Visiting Homemakers, Housekeepers and Related Occupations 16 1453 Customer Service, Information and Related Clerks 15 5254 Program Leaders and Instructors in Recreation, Sport and Fitness 13 7422 Public Works Maintenance Equipment Operators 12 2282 User Support Technicians 10 7411 Truck Drivers 9 1471 Shippers and Receivers 6 4212 Community and Social Service Workers 6 7414 Delivery and Courier Service Drivers 6 6211 Retail Trade Supervisors 5 6453 Food and Beverage Servers 5 9611 Labourers in Mineral and Metal Processing 5 6651 Security Guards and Related Occupations 4 7321 Automotive Service Technicians, Truck and Bus Mechanics and Mechanical Repairers 4 111 Financial Managers 3 1223 Personnel and Recruitment Officers 3 2171 Information Systems Analysts and Consultants 3 2173 Software Engineers and Designers 3 6421 Retail Salespersons and Sales Clerks 3 7452 Material Handlers 3 112 Human Resources Managers 2 1112 Financial and Investment Analysts 2 1122 Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management 2 1411 General Office Clerks 2 1414 Receptionists and Switchboard Operators 2 1431 Accounting and Related Clerks 2 1433 Customer Service Representatives - Financial Services 2 1475 Dispatchers and Radio Operators 2 2121 Biologists and Related Scientists 2 2281 Computer Network Technicians 2 6242 Cooks 2 7218 Supervisors, Printing and Related Occupations 2 7311 Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics (Except Textile) 2 13 Senior Managers - Financial, Communications and Other Business Services 1 114 Other Administrative Services Managers 1 123 Other Business Services Managers 1 211 Engineering Managers 1 611 Sales, Marketing and Advertising Managers 1 621 Retail Trade Managers 1 811 Primary Production Managers (Except Agriculture) 1 1121 Specialists in Human Resources 1 1211 Supervisors, General Office and Administrative Support Clerks 1 1212 Supervisors, Finance and Insurance Clerks 1 1225 Purchasing Agents and Officers 1 2253 Drafting Technologists and Technicians 1 2254 Land Survey Technologists and Technicians 1 2263 Inspectors in Public and Environmental Health and Occupational Health and Safety 1 3215 Medical Radiation Technologists 1 4161 Natural and Applied Science Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers 1 6411 Sales Representatives - Wholesale Trade (Non-Technical) 1 6641 Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers and Related Occupations 1 6662 Specialized Cleaners 1 6663 Janitors, Caretakers and Building Superintendents 1 7212 Contractors and Supervisors, Electrical Trades and Telecommunications Occupations 1 7322 Motor Vehicle Body Repairers 1 7421 Heavy Equipment Operators (Except Crane) 1 Occupation not specified 39 Total 327
Alberta Employment and Immigration 113