Alberta posts lowest unemployment rate in Canada

March 15, 2005

Alberta's unemployment rate of 4.6 per cent was the lowest of all the provinces in 2004. In addition, the province's average hourly wage increased from $18.14 in 2003 to $18.55 in 2004 ?an increase of 2.3 per cent.

Albertans also benefited from the creation of 40,000 new jobs in 2004, led by:

*construction ?15,700 jobs
*business, finance and administrative occupations ?13,100 jobs
*crude oil, natural gas and mining ?10,300 jobs
*sales and service occupations ?9,500 jobs
*natural and applied sciences and related occupations ?8,100 jobs

Of these positions, 31,700 were full-time. The number of part-time jobs increased by 8,300.

These figures were released as part of the 2004 Annual Alberta Market Labour Review, an overview of the province's labour market performance. The report also shows Alberta continues to have a well-educated workforce, with 61.4 per cent of working Albertans having either a university degree, a post-secondary certificate or diploma, or some post-secondary education.

This was the second year that Alberta reported on employment statistics for Aboriginal people living off-reserve in Alberta. In 2004, 62,100 Aboriginal people living off-reserve were employed in Alberta, an increase of 5,200 jobs from 2003.

Publication reports Alberta's labour market remained strong in 2004

March 14, 2005


Edmonton...The creation of 40,000 new jobs, a low unemployment rate and a steady increase in hourly wages made Alberta the place to work in 2004. The 2004 Annual Alberta Labour Market Review reports that Alberta's 2004 unemployment rate of 4.6 per cent was the lowest of all provinces. The province's hourly wage increased from $18.14 in 2003 to 18.55 in 2004; the 2.3 per cent increase more than doubled the 0.9 per cent increase in 2003.

"While this is great news, we are aware that Alberta's strong labour market puts an increased demand on our labour force. Building Alberta's skill base to help meet labour force challenges remains a priority," said Alberta Human Resources and Employment Minister, Mike Cardinal. "Our ongoing partnerships and work with other governments, industry and Alberta communities will help to ensure the continued growth of a strong Alberta labour force."

The report provides an overview of Alberta's labour market performance for 2004. Some of the highlights include:

*Full time positions in Alberta increased by 31,700 and part-time jobs increased by 8,300.

*Edmonton had an unemployment rate of 4.8 per cent and Calgary had an unemployment rate of 5.0 per cent.

*This was the second year Alberta reported on employment statistics for Aboriginal people living off-reserve in Alberta. In 2004, 62,100 Aboriginal people living off-reserve were employed in Alberta, an increase of 5,200 jobs from 2003.

A copy of the report can be downloaded at http://www.gov.ab.ca/hre/lmi/lfstats.asp. For further details on career, workplace and labour market information click on http://www.alis.gov.ab.ca,call the toll free Career Information Hotline at 1-800-661-3753 or go to your nearest Alberta Human Resources and Employment office.