Central Alberta Workforce Insights

April, 2026

Key Insights

  • Employment decreased by 3,162 jobs from the previous month and increased by 3,368 jobs compared to the same month last year.
  • Full-time Employment decreased by 2,888 jobs from the previous month and increased by 102 jobs year-over-year.
  • Part-time Employment decreased by 370 jobs from the previous month and increased by 3,170 jobs year-over-year.
  • Unemployment increased by 1,112 people from the previous month and decreased by 906 people compared to the same month last year.

Workforce Composition by Status

In the most recent month, Full-time Employment decreased by 2,888 jobs from last month and increased by 102 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Part-time Employment decreased by 370 jobs from last month and increased by 3,170 jobs year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals increased by 1,112 people from the previous month and decreased by 906 people compared to last year.

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Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate increased by 0.6 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate decreased by 0.6 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate increased by 0.2 percentage points year-over-year.

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels decreased by 3,162 jobs from the previous month and increased by 3,368 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment decreased by 3,162 jobs. Over the last year, the labor market has increased by 3,368 jobs.

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

  • Construction: 18,405 workers.
  • Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: 15,426 workers.
  • Manufacturing: 10,525 workers.

The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Construction, Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, Manufacturing, which together account for 90.4% of the sector's workforce.

Top 3 Industries in Services Sector

  • Wholesale and retail trade: 20,368 workers.
  • Health care and social assistance: 19,909 workers.
  • Educational services: 13,908 workers.

In the Services sector, Wholesale and retail trade, Health care and social assistance, Educational services lead employment, representing 51.8% of the sector's workforce.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

  • Accommodation and food services: Change of 1,362 workers (decreased by 9.75%).
  • Manufacturing: Change of 1,346 workers (decreased by 11.34%).
  • Transportation and warehousing: Change of 1,327 workers (decreased by 18.4%).
  • Educational services: Change of 1,267 workers (decreased by 8.35%).
  • Business, building and other support services: Change of 882 workers (increased by 24.14%).

These industries saw the largest month-over-month changes, indicating short-term trends.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year

  • Construction: Change of 5,257 workers (increased by 39.98%).
  • Manufacturing: Change of 4,671 workers (decreased by 30.74%).
  • Agriculture: Change of 3,552 workers (increased by 469.84%).
  • Accommodation and food services: Change of 2,974 workers (increased by 30.85%).
  • Public administration: Change of 1,895 workers (decreased by 25.97%).

The year-over-year changes provide insights into longer-term shifts, highlighting industries that have grown or declined significantly.

Conclusion

The overall employment trend is positive, with strong growth in the past year. Key industries driving the trend are: Construction, Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, Educational services, Health care and social assistance, Wholesale and retail trade.

Local Workforce Insights

February, 2026

Updated monthly, local monthly workforce trends focus on total employment, and employment and unemployment rates estimates at SLA level

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey February, 2026
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey February, 2026
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey February, 2026
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey February, 2026
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey February, 2026

Recruitment and Retention

Remote Work as Incentive

Anticipated to work remotely

Recruitment, Retention and Training Plans

Recruitment, Retention and Training Plans

Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months

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Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work (geography)

Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work as for recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months

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Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work (organization size)

Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work as for recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months

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Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work (organization type)

Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work as for recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months

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Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training - by business size

Organization's current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training in the next 12 months (Q1 2023)

Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training - by organization type

Organization's current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training in the next 12 months (Q1 2023)

Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training - by geography

Organization's current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training in the next 12 months (Q1 2023)

Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Anticipated Work Arrangement in the Next Three Months

Anticipated Work Arrangement in the Next Three Months

Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023

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Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely (geography)

Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely over the next three months

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Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely (organization size)

Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely over the next three months

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Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely (organization type)

Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely over the next three months

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Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Anticipated work arrangement - by business size

Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023

Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Anticipated work arrangement - by organization type

Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023

Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Anticipated work arrangement - by geography

Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023

Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions