This release was issued under a previous government.

Telecommunications Installation and Repair Workers are in high-demand for the next three years - employing 2300 in Alberta in 2013.

Telecommunications Installation and Repair Workers are in high-demand for the next three years - employing 2300 in Alberta in 2013

The Short-Term Employment Forecast 2014-2016 looks at 260 occupations across the wage and skills spectrum and reveals 31 that are expected to be in highest demand.

“In Alberta, we have more jobs available than people to fill them. It’s important we continue to attract and retain workers from Canada and abroad to help fuel the needs of our economy. Effective labour force planning is key to putting the right kind of information in the hands of those who need it.”

Kyle Fawcett, Minister of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour

Most occupations in the high and moderately high-demand categories require college education or apprenticeship training. The report looks at seven variables to determine where demand is heading, including:

  • employment growth rates;
  • industry forecasts;
  • the unemployment rate; and
  • vacancy rates from wage and salary surveys

The Short-Term Employment Forecast is released annually to help bridge the gap between what is happening now in Alberta’s economy and where the labour pressure points are expected to be longer term. It is a complementary tool to Alberta’s Occupational Demand and Supply Outlook that forecasts labour shortages for the next ten years. Alberta’s most recent long-term forecast predicts that Alberta will be short 96,000 workers by 2023.

Sustaining Alberta’s growing economy requires a skilled and permanent workforce. Our government’s broad workforce and immigration strategy includes helping Albertans find jobs and employers find workers, attracting workers from other provinces based on our economic needs and continued advocacy on immigration issues with the federal government.