Huh? Am I reading this correctly? Despite the headlines, this is great news to send to your JV`s for those of you that invest up there.http://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/ArticleDi....aspx?e=1391681
McMurray job numbers positive
Unemployment down from 4.1 per cent in November to 3.8 per cent in December
By ROLAND CILLIERS
Today staff
Despite a global recession and a drastically lower oil price, Fort McMurray is still a good place to find a job.
The unemployment rate for December 2008 has been released by Alberta Employment and Immigration, and the Wood Buffalo-Cold Lake region has experienced a decrease in unemployment. In November, the region`s unemployment rate was 4.1 per cent, meaning 3,000 locals were unemployed, but for December the rate was at 3.8 per cent, meaning 2,800 locals were unemployed.
That`s lower than both the national rate of 6.6 per cent and Alberta`s rate of 4.1 per cent, the lowest of any province.
All of the employment agencies the Today contacted said there were still plenty of jobs available in Fort McMurray.
Shaun Doetzel, the industrial and skilled trades manager for the employment agency the Empower Group, said that while the recession has changed the local job market there are still jobs to be found.
"With regards to capital projects those have definitely been pushed off or I guess suspended for the time being," said Doetzel. "We`re not seeing a lot of activity in the trade type industries such as welding, pipe fitting those major trades. That`s probably been the biggest thing."
Other employment agencies said they have barely noticed a change in employment since the recession began.
"It`s been very consistent and particularly when we deal with the specialized group we`re still able to find work very effectively with our employers to place our clients," said Lynn Corcoran, executive director of the Fort McMurray Association for Community Living. That association helps to find employment for people who have experienced barriers to the job market.
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Tracy Coles, the office manager at Wood Buffalo Temps, said that while her agency has seen a slight slowdown lately she doesn`t believe it`s caused by the slower economy.
"This time of year it always slows down in our line of work and usually for the month of January. But then around February it starts to get back to normal," said Coles. "It`s more of a seasonal thing for us the recession, I guess, probably has some effect on us, but I don`t think it really impacts us much."
While Alberta still has the country`s lowest provincial average, it has seen a loss of 15,800 jobs between November 2008 and December. Those losses primarily came from the construction industry. In Alberta, full-time employment decreased by 19,900 people while part-time employment has increased by 4,100.
One of the local employers that hasn`t been slowed down by the recession at all is the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
"The municipality`s business plan is still the same. We have 110 open positions right now, and 223 are approved for 2009. So with more than 800 current staff right now we`re still growing as the city grows," said Tyran Ault, spokesman for the municipality.
Alberta`s off-reserve aboriginal population`s unemployment rate increased from 8.1 per cent in November to December`s 9.4 per cent. That means 6,600 aboriginals were unemployed in December 2008, an increase of 900.
Article ID# 1391681
McMurray job numbers positive
Unemployment down from 4.1 per cent in November to 3.8 per cent in December
By ROLAND CILLIERS
Today staff
Despite a global recession and a drastically lower oil price, Fort McMurray is still a good place to find a job.
The unemployment rate for December 2008 has been released by Alberta Employment and Immigration, and the Wood Buffalo-Cold Lake region has experienced a decrease in unemployment. In November, the region`s unemployment rate was 4.1 per cent, meaning 3,000 locals were unemployed, but for December the rate was at 3.8 per cent, meaning 2,800 locals were unemployed.
That`s lower than both the national rate of 6.6 per cent and Alberta`s rate of 4.1 per cent, the lowest of any province.
All of the employment agencies the Today contacted said there were still plenty of jobs available in Fort McMurray.
Shaun Doetzel, the industrial and skilled trades manager for the employment agency the Empower Group, said that while the recession has changed the local job market there are still jobs to be found.
"With regards to capital projects those have definitely been pushed off or I guess suspended for the time being," said Doetzel. "We`re not seeing a lot of activity in the trade type industries such as welding, pipe fitting those major trades. That`s probably been the biggest thing."
Other employment agencies said they have barely noticed a change in employment since the recession began.
"It`s been very consistent and particularly when we deal with the specialized group we`re still able to find work very effectively with our employers to place our clients," said Lynn Corcoran, executive director of the Fort McMurray Association for Community Living. That association helps to find employment for people who have experienced barriers to the job market.
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Tracy Coles, the office manager at Wood Buffalo Temps, said that while her agency has seen a slight slowdown lately she doesn`t believe it`s caused by the slower economy.
"This time of year it always slows down in our line of work and usually for the month of January. But then around February it starts to get back to normal," said Coles. "It`s more of a seasonal thing for us the recession, I guess, probably has some effect on us, but I don`t think it really impacts us much."
While Alberta still has the country`s lowest provincial average, it has seen a loss of 15,800 jobs between November 2008 and December. Those losses primarily came from the construction industry. In Alberta, full-time employment decreased by 19,900 people while part-time employment has increased by 4,100.
One of the local employers that hasn`t been slowed down by the recession at all is the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
"The municipality`s business plan is still the same. We have 110 open positions right now, and 223 are approved for 2009. So with more than 800 current staff right now we`re still growing as the city grows," said Tyran Ault, spokesman for the municipality.
Alberta`s off-reserve aboriginal population`s unemployment rate increased from 8.1 per cent in November to December`s 9.4 per cent. That means 6,600 aboriginals were unemployed in December 2008, an increase of 900.
Article ID# 1391681
