2017 Q3 - Open Government Program | Alberta.ca
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2017>Q3
Applications Management Consulting Ltd.
Calgary & Area
Labour Market Report
This Calgary and Area Labour Market Report is
produced four times a year and provides results on
labour market needs, shortages and issues from the
perspective of employers in the Calgary Region.Table of Contents
Summary .................................................................................................1
Calgary Economy ..............................................................................................1
Calgary Population ............................................................................................4
Calgary Housing Market ....................................................................................5
Labour Force Statistics ......................................................................................7
Industry Employment .........................................................................................9
Employer Survey .............................................................................................10
Employer Survey - Q3 2017 Results .....................................................14
Survey Profile ..................................................................................................................14
Business Activity ............................................................................................................15
Employment: Past Layoffs, Vacant Positions and Future Employment ..........................18
Recruitment Methods .....................................................................................................25
Recruiting Difficulties ......................................................................................................28
Employee Turnover .........................................................................................................35
Employee Retention .......................................................................................................38
Supplemental Questions - Focus on Technological Changes ........................................44
Appendix A: Survey Methodology ........................................................60
Appendix B: Employer Survey - Q3 2017 Occupation Results.............61
Calgary and Area Labour Market - 2017 Q3 Report1
CALGARY ECONOMY
SUMMARY
Q3 2017
Summary
The Calgary Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) economy is forecast to
expand by a more robust 4.6% in 2017, following an average decline of
3.1% in 2015 and 2016. Growth is projected to remain in the range of
2% to 3% over the next few years.
Calgary Economy
PAST GROWTH CURRENT GROWTH FUTURE GROWTH
Following strong annual GDP The economic contraction that While oil prices have improved
growth of 5.5% in 2014, the began with the collapse in oil over the past year, they are
collapse in oil prices resulted prices is projected to end in projected to remain below their
in contractions of 3.0% and 2017. Real GDP in the Calgary pre-recession highs over the
3.2% in 2015 and 2016 CMA is forecast to grow at a next few years. As a result,
respectively in the Calgary rate of 4.6% in 2017, with real GDP in the Calgary CMA
Census Metropolitan Area help from increased activity in is projected to moderate to
(CMA). Calgary’s construction the energy sector. Calgary’s 2.1% next year and gradually
sector was hit particularly hard economy is projected to be improve to 2.6% by 2021.
during the 2015–16 recession, the fastest growing among
as output in the industry Canada’s 13 major CMAs in
contracted nearly 40%.1 2017, followed by Edmonton
(3.9%) and Toronto (3.7%).
Calgary CMA Past GDP Growth GDP Growth Forecast 2017 Calgary CMA GDP Growth Forecast
2021 2.6%
2016 -3.2% Calgary CMA 4.6%
2020 2.5%
2015 -3.0% Alberta 4.4% 2019 2.3%
2018 2.1%
2014 5.5% Canada 2.6%
2017 4.6%
-6% -3% 0% 3% 6% 0% 1% 2% 3% 4% 5% 0% 1% 2% 3% 4% 5%
1 All past and forecast data from: Arcand, Alan, and Jane McIntyre. Metropolitan Outlook 1: Calgary—Autumn 2017. Ottawa: The Conference Board of
Canada, 2017.
Calgary and Area Labour Market - 2017 Q3 Report2
CALGARY ECONOMY
SUMMARY
Q3 2017
The price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil is forecast to
average $US50 per barrel in 2017 and about $US51 in 2018.
OIL PRICES INFLATION WEEKLY EARNINGS
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Consumer prices in Calgary The average weekly earnings
crude oil prices averaged US rose 1.2% in September 2017 of payroll employees in the
$48 per barrel in Q3 2017, (y/y), compared to 1.3% in Calgary CMA increased by $6
unchanged from the previous Alberta and 1.6% nationally. month-over-month to $1,135 in
quarter but up from US$45 in Calgary recorded price growth September 2017, but was
Q3 2016. Western Canada in all eight major consumer virtually unchanged year-over-
Select (WCS) prices, the categories, with the highest year. Calgarians in the utilities
Canadian heavy oil benchmark, growth rates observed in and mining and oil and gas
averaged US$38 per barrel in alcohol and tobacco and industries had the highest
the third quarter of 2017, transportation. HIgher gasoline average weekly earnings at
reflecting a differential of US prices (+10.4%) was the main $2,401 and $2,094 respectively
$10 per barrel. WTI crude is contributor to inflation in the in September 2017, while
forecast to average US$49.70 transportation category. 3 accommodation and food
per barrel in 2017 and US services employees had the
$51.04 per barrel in 2018.2 lowest weekly earnings at
$547.4
WTI Prices, Quarterly Avg. (US$/bbl) Calgary Inflat. Rates Sep. 17 (y/y) Calgary CMA Avg Weekly Earnings
All-Items 1.2%
Q3 17 $48
Alcohol & tobacco 2.8% Sep 17 $1,135
Q2 17 $48 Transportation 2.2%
Food 1.9%
Q1 17 $52 Health & pers. care 1.8% Aug 17 $1,129
Rec., ed., & reading 1.2%
Q4 16 $49 Shelter 1.2%
Clothing & footwear 0.4% Sep 16 $1,135
Q3 16 $45
Household ops 0.4%
$0 $20 $40 $60 0% 1% 2% 3% $0 $400 $800 $1,200
2 Baytex Energy Corp. Historical Oil Pricing and U.S. Energy Information Administration, Short Term Energy Outlook, November 7, 2017.
3 City of Calgary, September 2017 Inflation Review, October 20, 2017.
4 City of Calgary, Corporate Economics, Economics, Labour Market Review, August and September 2017.
Calgary and Area Labour Market - 2017 Q3 Report3
CALGARY ECONOMY
SUMMARY
Q3 2017
The number of Calgarians receiving regular Employment Insurance (EI)
benefits declined 31% year-over-year in September 2017.
NON-RESIDENTIAL EMPLOYMENT DOWNTOWN
CONSTRUCTION INSURANCE OFFICE MARKET
Investment in non-residential Since reaching a record peak Vacancy in Calgary’s downtown
building construction in the of 32,740 beneficiaries in office market may have finally
Calgary CMA totaled $838 November 2016, the number of reached its peak. After rising
million in Q3 2017, down Calgarians receiving regular EI steadily over the last three
16.6% year-over-year. benefits declined for the tenth years, the city’s downtown
Investment in institutional and consecutive month in office vacancy rate declined to
governmental projects, which September 2017 to 21,880, 25.7% in Q3 2017, from 26.4%
made up one-quarter of non- and was also down 31% the previous quarter. Vacancy
residential construction compared to September 2016. is forecast to slowly trend
spending, declined 20.4% y/y. As of September 2017, 28% of downwards following the
Investment in Alberta declined unemployed Calgarians were completion of Telus Sky Tower
7.1% y/y in Q3 2017, while receiving EI. In Alberta, total EI in the final quarter of 2018.7
nationally, non-residential beneficiaries fell to 63,010 in
investment rose 3.4%.5 September 2017, down 35%
year-over-year.6
Inv. in Non-Res Construction Q3 17 (y/y) Calgary EI Beneficiaries Calgary Downtown Office Vac. Rates
Q3 2017 25.7%
Calgary -16.6% Sep 2017 21,880
Q2 2017 26.4%
Alberta -7.1% Aug 2017 23,050 Q1 2017 23.9%
Q4 2016 23.9%
Canada 3.4% Sep 2016 31,750
Q3 2016 22.9%
-25%-20%-15%-10% -5% -0% 5% 0 20,000 40,000 0% 10% 20% 30%
5 Statistics Canada, CANSIM table 026-0016.
6 Statistics Canada, CANSIM table 276-0034.
7 Avison Young Q3 2017 Calgary Office Market Report. Forecast uses reasonable assumptions.
Calgary and Area Labour Market - 2017 Q3 Report4
CALGARY POPULATION
SUMMARY
Q3 2017
Calgary’s population reached 1.246 million in April 2017, a 0.9% increase
year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2026 the population of the city of
Calgary is expected to grow by an annual average of 1.3% per year.
Calgary’s senior population (aged 65+) is forecast to increase by about
4% per year over the next 10 years, to 189,100 in 2026.
Calgary Population
TOTAL POPULATION YOUTH POPULATION SENIOR POPULATION
Calgary’s population as a Calgary’s youth population Calgary’s senior population
whole is forecast to grow by (aged 15 - 24) is projected to (aged 65+) is forecast to grow
about 56,400 over the next decline by about 5,800 over by about 23,500 over the next
five years, from 1,246,300 in the next five years, from an five years, from 132,700 in
2017 to about 1,302,700 in estimated 145,600 in 2017 to 2017 to about 156,200 in
2021. According to the City of 139,800 in 2021. The decline 2021. Rapid growth in the
Calgary’s most recent is more due to slowing net senior population is expected
projections, there will be some migration (fewer people are to put pressure on some of
shifts in the demographics of moving to Calgary) and an Calgary’s services and
the population that will aging population, rather than infrastructure.
significantly impact Calgary an exodus of young people
over the next 10 years.8 from Calgary.
Calgary Pop. Growth Forecast Youth Pop. Growth Forecast Senior Pop. Growth Forecast
2021 1.4% 2021 0.6% 2021 4.1%
2020 1.1% 2020 -0.7% 2020 4.2%
2019 1.0% 2019 -1.5% 2019 4.1%
2018 1.0% 2018 -2.5% 2018 3.8%
2017 0.9% 2017 1.0% 2017 1.0%
0% 1% 2% -4% -2% 0% 2% 0% 1% 2% 3% 4% 5%
8 Sources for all population growth forecasts: City of Calgary, Corporate Economics, Calgary and Region Economic Outlook 2017 - 2026, Fall 2017.
Calgary and Area Labour Market - 2017 Q3 Report5
CALGARY HOUSING MARKET
SUMMARY
Q3 2017
Calgary Housing Market
Existing home sales in the city of Calgary rose 7.2% y/y in the first nine
months of 2017, while the average sales price increased 1.9%.
The average sales price of an existing home in Calgary rose 1.9% y/y to $489,186 in the first nine
months of 2017. A 2.8% increase in the average sales price for a detached home and a 1.7%
increase for an attached home was offset by a 4.7% decline in the average sales price for an
apartment. Overall, existing home prices in Calgary are forecast to remain relatively unchanged year-
over-year in 2017. Improved market balance in the first half of 2017 has supported the modest price
appreciation year-to date September 2017.9
City of Calgary Average Sales Prices for Existing Homes
$700,000
YTD Sep 2017 YTD Sep 2016
$600,000 $563,314
$547,746
$489,186 $480,084
$500,000
$408,821 $401,979
$400,000
$296,385 $311,088
$300,000
$200,000
$100,000
$0
Total Detached Apartment Attached
City of Calgary Existing Home Sales
Q3 2017 4,688 Existing home sales in the city of Calgary totaled 4,688 units in
the third quarter of 2017, down 2.2% from 4,793 sales in the
Q2 2017 6,155 third quarter of 2016. Year to date September 2017, total
existing home sales reached 15,004 units, a 7.2% increase
Q1 2017 4,167
compared to the first nine months of 2016. Attached home
sales were up 9.6% year-over-year to the end of September
Q4 2016 3,802
2017, while detached home and apartment sales increased 6.9%
Q3 2016 4,793 and 5.1% respectively.10
0 2,500 5,000 7,500
9 Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB), Monthly Statistics Package, City of Calgary, September 2017.
10 Ibid.
Calgary and Area Labour Market - 2017 Q3 Report6
CALGARY HOUSING MARKET
SUMMARY
Q3 2017
Economic conditions in Alberta have improved compared to the previous
year contributing to a decrease in apartment vacancy rates in the
majority of the province’s largest urban centres.
Following three consecutive years of increases, Alberta’s overall apartment vacancy rate fell to 7.5%
in October 2017, from 8.1% the previous year. Calgary’s apartment vacancy rate declined to 6.3% in
2017, from 7.0% a year earlier. Rental demand in the Wood Buffalo region continues to be impacted
by wildfire recovery efforts, weak labour market conditions and a decline in population. In October
2017, Wood Buffalo’s apartment vacancy rate jumped to 23.6%, from 17.8% in 2016. 11
Private Apartment Vacancy Rates in Alberta’s Largest Urban Centres
Oct 2017 Oct 2016
7.5%
Alberta 8.1%
23.6%
Wood Buffalo 17.8%
13.1%
Red Deer 13.6%
7.0%
Edmonton 7.1%
6.3%
Calgary 7.0%
6.2%
Medicine Hat 5.4%
5.1%
Lethbridge 8.5%
4.9%
Grande Prairie 19.8%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%
Avg. Apartment Rents Oct 2017 (2-bedroom)
AB $1,188 The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Alberta
Wood Buffalo $1,531 fell slightly to $1,188/month in 2017 from $1,195/month
Calgary $1,247 one year prior. Among the province’s largest urban centres,
Edmonton $1,215 Wood Buffalo had the highest average rent for a two-
Grande Prairie $1,012 bedroom unit at $1,531, up from from $1,454 in October
Red Deer $1,011 2016. In Calgary, the average rent for an apartment
Lethbridge $937 declined 0.9% to $1,247/month in 2017, following a
Medicine Hat $842 decrease of 5.5% in 2016.12
$0 $500 $1,000 $1,500
11 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Rental Market Report, Alberta Highlights, Released 2017.
12 Ibid.
Calgary and Area Labour Market - 2017 Q3 Report7
LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS
SUMMARY
Q3 2017
Calgary’s labour market continued to improve in Q3 2017 with the
unemployment rate dropping to 8.5% and employment up 4.7% y/y.
PARTICIPATION EMPLOYMENT UNEMPLOYMENT
Calgary’s labour force Employment in the Calgary Calgary’s unemployment rate
participation rate fell slightly to CMA averaged 836,200 in the dropped significantly to an
an average of 74.7% in Q3 third quarter of 2017, up by average of 8.5% in Q3 2017,
2017, from 74.9% the previous 8,100 or 1.0% from the from 9.2% the previous quarter
quarter but was up from previous quarter and up by and from 9.3% in Q3 2016.
73.0% year-over-year. Men had 37,700 or 4.7% year-over-year.
a higher labour force Edmonton and St. John’s NL
participation rate (80.2%) than Employment in Calgary is had the highest average
women (70.9%) in Q3 2017, forecast to increase by 1.1% unemployment rate among
while the participation rate for in 2018 (8,800 net new jobs). major metropolitan areas in
Calgarians aged 25 - 54 Most major industries are Canada in Q3 2017 (8.6%),
(89.9%) was higher than for forecast to grow in 2018, with followed by Calgary (8.5%) and
youth aged 15 - 24 (72.1%) the exception of transportation Saskatoon (8.2%). Victoria’s
and adults aged 55+ (48.3%). and warehousing (-6.3%), and Vancouver’s unemployment
personal services (-0.4%) and rates were the lowest at 4.6%
The participation rate is the non-commercial services and 4.8% respectively.
number of persons employed, (-1.6%). Employment growth of Canada’s unemployment rate
or unemployed but looking for 5.5% is projected for the averaged 6.3% in Q3 2017.
a job, divided by the total primary and utilities sector in
working-age population. 2018.13
Calgary Labour Force Survey Stats Q3 2017 Q2 2017 Q3 2016
✓ Participation Rate 74.7% 74.9% 73.0%
✓ Employment Rate 68.4% 68.0% 66.2%
✓ Unemployment Rate 8.5% 9.2% 9.3%
Source: Statistics Canada CANSIM table 282-0135
Labour Force Statistics
13 Arcand, Alan, and Jane McIntyre. Metropolitan Outlook 1: Calgary—Autumn 2017. Ottawa: The Conference Board of Canada, 2017.
Calgary and Area Labour Market - 2017 Q3 Report8
LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS
SUMMARY
Q3 2017
TYPE OF WORK GENDER AGE
Year-over-year, employment in Employment growth among Employment among Calgarians
the Calgary CMA rose by 4.7% Calgary women continued to aged 15 - 24 years declined
in the third quarter of 2017. be strong in Q3 2017, 1.3% (-1,400) on the year in
increasing 6.2% (+23,100) the third quarter of 2017, the
The number of Calgarians year-over-year. The 3.4% rise only major age category to
working part-time rose to an in employment among men record a loss. Employment
average of 149,300 in Q3 (+15,000) supplemented the increased 5.0% (+28,400)
2017, up 5.5% (+7,800) year- gains among women. among Calgarians aged 25 -
over-year. Women accounted 54 years and 7.5% (+11,000)
for all the increase in part- Overall, the unemployment rate among older adults aged 55+
time work (+17.9% or for men averaged 8.8% in the years.
+15,900), offset by a decrease third quarter of 2017, while
in part-time work among men. the unemployment rate for In the third quarter of 2017,
women averaged 8.5%. Men 12% of all employed
Full-time employment increased aged 15 - 24 years had the Calgarians were aged 15 - 24
4.6% (+30,300) on the year in highest unemployment rate in years, 70% were aged 25 - 54
Q3 2017, with men accounting the third quarter at 16.9% years and 18% were aged 55+
for the majority of the gains while men aged 25 - 54 years years.
(+6.0% or +23,100). had the lowest unemployment
rate at 6.4%.
Q3 2017 Q3 2016
Unemployment Rates by Gender and Age, Calgary CMA
8.8%
Men (15 yrs+) Total 9.0%
16.9%
Men (15-24 yrs) 17.6%
6.4%
Men (25-54 yrs) 7.0%
12.1%
Men (55 yrs+) 10.4%
8.5%
Women (15 yrs+) Total 10.0%
9.5%
Women (15-24 yrs) 18.4%
7.9%
Women (25-54 yrs) 7.9%
10.1%
Women (55 yrs+) 10.8%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20%
Source: Statistics Canada, CANSIM table 282-0158, Employment by CMA based on 2011 Census boundaries and National Occupational Classification (NOC),
three-month moving average, unadjusted for seasonality.
Calgary and Area Labour Market - 2017 Q3 Report9
INDUSTRY EMPLOYMENT
SUMMARY
Q3 2017
Industry Employment
These are the industries that posted the greatest change in employment
in the Calgary CMA and Alberta in Q3 2017 (y/y).
Calgary CMA Highlights
Accommodation & Health Care & Social Mining & Oil & Gas Other Services
Food Services Assistance
+16,900 jobs +10,000 jobs -6,700 jobs -4,300 jobs
Alberta Highlights
Mining & Oil & Gas Manufacturing Other Services Construction
+11,300 jobs +8,400 jobs -10,400 jobs -9,200 jobs
2017 and 2018 Forecast Change in Employment by Industry, Calgary CMA
All industries 1.1%
2.7% 2017 2018
21.8%
Public Administration 3.9%
18.7%
Transportation & Wareousing -6.3%
9.4%
Non-Commercial Services -1.6%
6.3%
Personal Services -0.4%
4.3%
Fin. Ins. & Real Estate 1.3%
1.9%
Wholesale & Retail Trade 2.1%
-1.1%
Info & Culture 6.5%
-1.8%
Manufacturing 3.1%
-2.0%
Business Services 0.7%
-8.4%
Construction 7.2%
-10.0%
Primary & Utilities 5.5%
-15.0% -5.0% 5.0% 15.0% 25.0%
Forecast: Arcand, Alan, and Jane McIntyre. Metropolitan Outlook 1: Calgary—Autumn 2017. Ottawa: The Conference Board of Canada, 2017.
Calgary and Area Labour Market - 2017 Q3 Report10
EMPLOYER SURVEY
SUMMARY
Q3 2017
Employer Survey
Survey Results: 201 small-sized employers with 10-49 employees were
surveyed in Q3 2017.
PAST GROWTH FUTURE GROWTH LAYOFFS
On balance, 5% of employers On balance, 12% of employers Thirteen per cent of employers
reported that their company anticipate a business reported that their companies
downsized in the 12 months expansion in the 12 months laid off workers in the 3
prior to their survey (23% said following their survey (22% months prior to their survey,
they expanded and 28% said anticipate an expansion and down from 25% in Q3 2016.
they downsized), compared to 10% anticipate a downsize), up
Q3 2016 when 23% of significantly from from the Q3 Overall, employers reported
employers reported a business 2016 results when 6% of about 90 people were laid off,
downsize. employers on balance representing a layoff rate of
anticipated a business 1.8%, down from 5.0% in Q3
Results varied by industry with downsize. 2016.
8 of 10 industries on balance
reporting business downsizing. Results varied by industry with The highest number of layoffs
8 of 10 industries on balance were reported in the
anticipating a business construction industry.
expansion in the next 12
months.
Q3 Business Expansion Q3 Anticipated Business Expansion Q3 Layoffs
2017 2017 2017
2016 2016 2016
2015 2015 2015
2014 2014 2014
2013 2013 2013
2012 2012 2012
2011 2011 2011
2010 2010 2010
2009 2009 2009
-30% -15% 0% 15% 30% -10% 10% 30% 0% 10% 20% 30%
Calgary and Area Labour Market - 2017 Q3 Report11
EMPLOYER SURVEY
SUMMARY
Q3 2017
Vacancies Difficulty Recruiting Voluntary Turnover Turnover Rate
The most frequently The positions The positions Fifty-six per cent of
reported vacant employers reported employers reported employers reported
positions were facility the most difficulty had the highest approximately 315
operation and recruiting were facility voluntary turnover employees left as a
maintenance operation and were community and result of voluntary
managers, truck maintenance social service turnover in the 12
drivers, community managers and truck workers, shippers and months prior to
and social service drivers. receivers, secretaries, their survey.
workers, and food insurance agents and Overall, the
counter attendants brokers, retail voluntary turnover
and kitchen helpers. salespersons, and rate was 6.4%.
construction trades
labourers.
PAST FUTURE PAST FUTURE
RECRUITMENT RECRUITMENT TURNOVER TURNOVER
Employers were asked Employers were asked Employers were asked Employers were asked
if they had difficulty if they anticipate if they had any if they anticipate
recruiting qualified having more, less or voluntary turnover in voluntary turnover will
employees in the 12 the same difficulty the 12 months prior be higher, lower or
months prior to their recruiting qualified to their survey. Fifty- the same in the 12
survey. Twenty-nine employees in the 12 six per cent of months following their
per cent of employers months following their employers reported survey. On balance,
reported difficulty survey. On balance, voluntary turnover, 8% anticipate
recruiting, up from 3% anticipate more compared to 53% in employee turnover will
17% in Q3 2016. difficulty compared to Q3 2016. be lower over the
9% anticipating less next year
difficulty in Q3 2016.
Q3 Past Difficulty Q3 Future Difficulty Q3 Past Turnover Q3 Future Turnover
2017 2017 2017 2017
2016 2016 2016 2016
2015 2015 2015 2015
2014 2014 2014 2014
2013 2013 2013 2013
2012 2012 2012 2012
2011 2011 2011 2011
2010 2010 2010 2010
0% 25% 50% -30% 0% 30% 0% 35% 70% -20% -10% 0%
Calgary and Area Labour Market - 2017 Q3 Report12
EMPLOYER SURVEY
SUMMARY
Q3 2017
Employers reported career and classified websites was the most
successful recruitment method in the 12 months prior to their survey.
Most Successful Recruitment Methods
Career and classified websites 31%
Word of mouth/employees referrals 23%
Company website/internal postings 7%
Employment agencies 5%
Social media 3%
Walk-ins/unsolicited resumes 3%
Newspapers 2%
Rehires 1%
Industry associations 1%
Other 1%
Signage 1%
Unsure 1%
None 1%
Did not hire in past 12 months 17%
Employers reported that providing a job in this economy was the most
successful employee retention strategy in the 12 months prior to their
survey.
Most Successful Employee Retention Strategies
Provide a job in this economy 17%
Competitive salary 14%
Positive work environment 12%
Excellent management/supervision 8%
Company culture 6%
Flexible work measures 5%
Interesting/challenging work 5%
Competitive benefits package 4%
Learning/growth opportunities 4%
Cash bonuses 2%
Excellent coworkers 2%
Perks 2%
Other 6%
Unsure 4%
Don’t have/need strategy 5%
Calgary and Area Labour Market - 2017 Q3 Report13
EMPLOYER SURVEY
SUMMARY
Q3 2017
Overall, almost two-fifths of the employers reported they have
implemented or adopted technological changes in the past two years.
Yes No Unsure
Implemented technological changes in past two years
Overall
Fin. Insur. Real Est. & Leasing
Health Care & Social Assistance
Construction
Accomm. & Food/Arts & Ent.
Manufacturing
Transportation & Warehousing
Other
Professional Scientific & Tech.
Wholesale & Retail Trade
Mining & Oil & Gas
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Overall, over one-quarter of employers have a plan to implement or adopt
technological changes in the next two years.
Yes No Unsure
Plan to implement technological changes in the next two years
Overall
Fin. Insur. Real Est. & Leasing
Accomm. & Food/Arts & Ent.
Health Care & Social Assistance
Manufacturing
Other
Construction
Wholesale & Retail Trade
Transportation & Warehousing
Professional Scientific & Tech.
Mining & Oil & Gas
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Calgary and Area Labour Market - 2017 Q3 Report14
EMPLOYER SURVEY
Q3 2017 Survey Results: Small-sized employers with 10 - 49 employees
Employer
Survey - Q3
2017 Results
The purpose of the quarterly survey is to gather information from Calgary and area employers on their
recruitment and retention practices and various other employment issues they are facing. Over the
course of the year, employers will be divided into four categories based on the number of employees in
the company and results of the survey will be reported on as follows:
✓ Q1 2017: Large-sized companies with 100+ employees
✓ Q2 2017: Medium-sized companies with 50 – 99 employees
✓ Q3 2017: Small-sized companies with 10 – 49 employees
✓ Q4 2017: Micro-sized companies with15
EMPLOYER SURVEY
Business Activity
On balance, 5 per cent of the employers said their company downsized in the last 12
months.
Has$your$company$expanded$or$downsized$
Twenty-three per cent of the employers $in$the$last$12$months?$
surveyed in Q3 2017 reported their company
expanded in the 12 months prior to their survey Expanded% Downsized% Balance%
30%%
and 28 per cent said their company downsized, 20%%
resulting in a negative balance of 5 per cent.14 10%%
!5%%
In Q3 2016, 14 per cent of the employers 0%%
reported they expanded and 37 per cent said !10%%
!23%%
!20%%
they downsized, for a negative balance of 23
!30%%
per cent. !40%%
Q3%2016% Q3%2017%
On balance, 28 per cent of the finance,
insurance, real estate and leasing employers
and 25 per cent of the ‘other’ employers said they expanded in the past year - the only industries to
record positive results. In contrast, 25 per cent of the accommodation and food services/arts and
entertainment employers and 20 per cent of the construction employers reported they downsized.
Past Business Activity
Percentage of companies that expanded or downsized in the 12 months prior to their survey
Q3 2016 Q3 2017
Expanded Downsized Balance Expanded Downsized Balance
Overall Results 14% 37% -23% 23% 28% -5%
Results by Industry
Mining & Oil & Gas 10% 57% -48% 15% 30% -15%
Construction 10% 70% -60% 20% 40% -20%
Manufacturing 10% 50% -40% 30% 35% -5%
Wholesale & Retail Trade 5% 65% -60% 25% 40% -15%
Transportation & Warehousing 10% 30% -20% 15% 25% -10%
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 20% 45% -25% 25% 35% -10%
Health Care & Social Assistance 25% 10% 15% 15% 25% -10%
Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment 15% 10% 5% 10% 35% -25%
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing 25% 15% 10% 38% 10% 28%
Other 15% 20% -5% 35% 10% 25%
Comments
‣ “Our revenue has declined because our rates have been reduced in order to get customers. ” -
Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
‣ “We have downsized a little bit.” - Construction
‣ “We have really downsized because of the economy.” - Construction
‣ “We stayed about the same.” - Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing
14Percentage of employers reporting a business expansion minus percentage of employers reporting a business
downsize.
Calgary and Area Labour Market - 2017 Q3 Report16
EMPLOYER SURVEY
‣ “We have downsized in the Calgary office.” - Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing
‣ “We have downsized a lot.” - Health Care & Social Assistance
‣ “We have expanded both in terms of people and space.” - Health Care & Social Assistance
‣ “In June we were bought out by a larger parent company.” - Manufacturing
‣ “We have stayed static.” - Manufacturing
‣ “We have downsized by about 50%.” - Mining & Oil & Gas
‣ “We are about even compared to last year.” - Mining & Oil & Gas
‣ “We opened a sister location.” - Other
‣ “We have really shrunk.” - Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
‣ “We have had some acquisitions, so there's been expansion.” - Professional, Scientific & Technical
Services
‣ “We have expanded slightly.” - Transportation & Warehousing
‣ “We are in the process of downsizing.” - Wholesale & Retail Trade
‣ “We took over the Canmore location. We used existing staff and added a few new employees as
well.” - Wholesale & Retail Trade
On balance, 12 per cent of the employers anticipate a business expansion in the next
12 months.
Do#you#an(cipate#a#business#expansion#or#
Employers are more optimistic about the next downsize#in#the#next#12#months?#
12 months than they were in Q3 2016. Twenty-
Expansion$ Downsize$ Balance$
two per cent of the employers anticipate their 25%$
company will expand in the 12 months 20%$
12%$
15%$
following their survey and 10 per cent 10%$
anticipate their company will downsize, for a 5%$
0%$ !6%$
positive balance of 12 per cent.15 In Q3 2016, !5%$
13 per cent anticipated an expansion and 19 !10%$
!15%$
per cent anticipated a downsize, for a balance !20%$
of 6 per cent of the employers anticipating a Q3$2016$ Q3$2017$
downsize.
With the exception of construction and manufacturing, all the industries anticipate a business
expansion in the next year, on balance. Thirty per cent of the professional, scientific and technical
services employers and about a quarter of the finance, insurance, real estate and leasing and ‘other’
employers anticipate a business expansion in the next 12 months. In contrast, 5 per cent of the
15Percentage of employers anticipating a business expansion minus percentage of employers anticipating a business
downsize.
Calgary and Area Labour Market - 2017 Q3 Report17
EMPLOYER SURVEY
construction and manufacturing employers on balance anticipate a business downsize in the next year.
Employers in the mining and oil and gas industry appear to be more positive about future business
activity, with 15 per cent on balance anticipating a business expansion in the next year, compared to
one-third anticipating a business downsize when surveyed in Q3 2016.
Future Business Activity
Percentage of companies that anticipate an expansion or downsize in the 12 months following their survey
Q3 2016 Q3 2017
Expansion Downsize Balance Expansion Downsize Balance
Overall Results 13% 19% -6% 22% 10% 12%
Results by Industry
Mining & Oil & Gas 0% 33% -33% 20% 5% 15%
Construction 0% 25% -25% 15% 20% -5%
Manufacturing 15% 20% -5% 15% 20% -5%
Wholesale & Retail Trade 10% 50% -40% 15% 10% 5%
Transportation & Warehousing 15% 20% -5% 35% 15% 20%
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 30% 20% 10% 30% 0% 30%
Health Care & Social Assistance 20% 0% 20% 20% 15% 5%
Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment 5% 15% -10% 10% 5% 5%
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing 25% 5% 20% 29% 5% 24%
Other 15% 5% 10% 30% 5% 25%
Comments
‣ “I expect things to remain stable.” - Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
‣ “That depends on the economy. When the economy in Alberta is bad, then people don't want to spend
money.” - Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
‣ “That depends on the market, but at this point I anticipate we will stay the same.” - Construction
‣ “We will stay even.” - Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing
‣ “There will be a slight increase.” - Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing
‣ “I really don't see things getting better in the near future.” - Health Care & Social Assistance
‣ “It's possible there will be an expansion.” - Health Care & Social Assistance
‣ “We are getting busier and busier, so there will be expansion.” - Manufacturing
‣ “We will be closing down this current facility in September or October of this year.” - Manufacturing
‣ “We don't know because that all depends on the price of oil.” - Manufacturing
‣ “I think things will be status quo.” - Mining & Oil & Gas
‣ “We will probably expand slightly.” - Mining & Oil & Gas
‣ “There will be a minimal expansion.” - Other
‣ “We may be offering a new program now, so we might be asked to offer extra classes.” - Other
‣ “I expect things to remain status quo.” - Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
Calgary and Area Labour Market - 2017 Q3 Report18
EMPLOYER SURVEY
‣ “There will be a bit of expansion.” - Transportation & Warehousing
‣ “Things will probably remain status quo, unless a lot of people quit. We haven't been replacing
positions as they become vacant.” - Wholesale & Retail Trade
‣ “We are not replacing people as they leave, so I expect some downsizing.” - Wholesale & Retail
Trade
‣ “There may be a little bit more of an expansion.” - Wholesale & Retail Trade
‣ “We are picking up right now.” - Wholesale & Retail Trade
Employment: Past Layoffs, Vacant Positions and Future Employment
Thirteen per cent of the employers laid off workers in the three months prior to their
survey.
Thirteen per cent of the employers reported Percentage)of)companies)that)laid)off)
they laid off workers in the three months prior employees)in)the)three)months)prior)to)survey)
Q3#2017# Q3#2016#
to their survey (for reasons other than
Overall# 13%#
seasonality). This is a significant improvement ConstrucGon# 40%#
compared to the Q3 2016 results, when 25 per Wholesale#&#Retail#Trade# 20%#
Manufacturing# 15%#
cent of the employers said they laid off Professional,#ScienGfic#&#Tech.# 15%#
Health#Care#&#Social#Assistance# 15%#
workers. Forty per cent of the construction TransportaGon#&#Warehousing# 10%#
employers and 20 per cent of the wholesale Fin.,#Insur.,#Real#Est.#&#Leasing# 10%#
Other# 5%#
and retail trade employers reported they laid Mining#&#Oil#&#Gas# 5%#
Accom.#&#Food/Arts#&#Ent.# 0%#
off workers, compared to none of the
0%# 5%# 10%# 15%# 20%# 25%# 30%# 35%# 40%# 45%#
accommodation and food services/arts and
entertainment employers. The most dramatic
improvement this year was among manufacturing employers, with 15 per cent reporting they laid off
employees, compared to 40 per cent in Q3 2016. The percentage of employers reporting they laid off
workers increased year-over-year among health care and social assistance employers.
Overall, employers reported about 90 people were laid off, representing a layoff rate of 1.8 per cent.
This is a significant improvement compared to the Q3 2016 results when employers reported 236
people were laid off, representing a layoff rate of 5.0 per cent. The construction (9.7 per cent),
wholesale and retail trade (1.9 per cent) and manufacturing (1.6 per cent) industries had the highest
layoff rates in Q3 2017, while accommodation and food services/arts and entertainment employers
reported no layoffs. Additional details on layoffs can be found in Appendix B.
Calgary and Area Labour Market - 2017 Q3 Report19
EMPLOYER SURVEY
Number of Layoffs and Layoff Rates (in the three months prior to survey)
Q3 2016 Q3 2017
Total Layoff Total Layoff
Industry
Layoffs Rate Layoffs Rate
Construction 17 3.7% 56 9.7%
Wholesale & Retail Trade 21 5.1% 8 1.9%
Manufacturing 18 4.0% 7 1.6%
Health Care & Social Assistance 1 0.2% 7 1.4%
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 19 4.2% 5 1.0%
Transportation & Warehousing 15 2.6% 3 0.6%
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing 5 1.1% 2 0.4%
Other 5 1.2% 1 0.2%
Mining & Oil & Gas 129 26.7% 1 0.2%
Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment 6 1.1% 0 0.0%
Total 236 5.0% 90 1.8%
Layoff rate is the number of layoffs as a percent of total employment.
Comments
‣ “What we tend to do is to reduce hours rather than laying people off. Some people have quit in
response to reduction in hours.” - Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
‣ “We laid off 2 consultants.” - Construction
‣ “We laid off about 8 concrete finishers.” - Construction
‣ “There have been about 30 heavy equipment operators laid off.” - Construction
‣ “We let one financial advisor go.” - Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing
‣ “Yes, we've eliminated a bank teller position.” - Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing
‣ “Yes, we have laid off about 5 dental assistants.” - Health Care & Social Assistance
‣ “We had to lay off our manager of development.” - Health Care & Social Assistance
‣ “Yes, we laid off 2 labourers.” - Manufacturing
‣ “We laid off one environmental scientist.” - Mining & Oil & Gas
‣ “No, we just reduced hours.” - Mining & Oil & Gas
‣ “We laid off two technologists.” - Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
‣ “We laid off two people in data entry.” - Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
‣ “We laid off a dispatcher.” - Transportation & Warehousing
‣ “Yes, two truck drivers.” - Transportation & Warehousing
‣ “There has been work sharing to avoid layoffs.” - Transportation & Warehousing
Calgary and Area Labour Market - 2017 Q3 Report20
EMPLOYER SURVEY
‣ “We have laid off about 10% of our staff, or about four salespeople.” - Wholesale & Retail Trade
‣ “We laid off one person in the admin department in Canmore. Our accounting is now done at the Red
Deer location.” - Wholesale & Retail Trade
Forty-one per cent of the employers had 179 vacant positions that needed to be filled.
Overall, 41 per cent of the employers reported
they had vacant positions that needed to be Percentage)of)companies)with)vacant)posi3ons)
filled at the time of their survey, up from 22 per that)needed)to)be)filled)at)3me)of)survey)
Q3$2017$ Q3$2016$
cent in Q3 2016. Fifty-seven per cent of the
Overall$ 41%$
finance, insurance, real estate and leasing Fin.,$Insur.,$Real$Est.$&$Leasing$ 57%$
Professional,$Scien21
EMPLOYER SURVEY
‣ “We have started up the hiring process for our peak season, so we are looking for about 5 ice
technicians.” - Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
‣ “Hiring is ongoing here, especially for housekeeping.” - Accommodation & Food Services/Arts &
Entertainment
‣ “We are looking for 6 people in our operations department.” - Accommodation & Food Services/Arts
& Entertainment
‣ “We are always looking for cooks and crew.” - Accommodation & Food Services/Arts &
Entertainment
‣ “We're looking for about 3 electricians.” - Construction
‣ “We are always hiring journeymen electricians.” - Construction
‣ “We are looking for a social media organizer and an administrative professional.” - Finance,
Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing
‣ “We need 3 more property managers.” - Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing
‣ “We are looking for a deaf senior companion.” - Health Care & Social Assistance
‣ “We have one position open in dental administration.” - Health Care & Social Assistance
‣ “We need a research consultant.” - Health Care & Social Assistance
‣ “There are two positions open, for a community disability services worker and a residential services
worker.” - Health Care & Social Assistance
‣ “We are always looking for casual addictions support workers.” - Health Care & Social Assistance
‣ “We are always looking for qualified awning installers.” - Manufacturing
‣ “We have 3 positions in woodwork manufacturing open right now.” - Manufacturing
‣ “We need two ranging specialists for our directional drilling operations.” - Mining & Oil & Gas
‣ “We need two early childhood educators.” - Other
‣ “We need 3 education assistants.” - Other
‣ “We need a new director.” - Other
‣ “We're always looking for architects and architectural technologists.” - Professional, Scientific &
Technical Services
‣ “We are searching for 3 legal assistants in family law.” - Professional, Scientific & Technical
Services
‣ “We're a tax law firm so we're always looking for lawyers, but we have no specific positions
available.” - Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
Calgary and Area Labour Market - 2017 Q3 Report22
EMPLOYER SURVEY
‣ “We are looking for someone in our data analytics department.” - Professional, Scientific &
Technical Services
‣ “We could use 3 more drivers.” - Transportation & Warehousing
‣ “We are looking for 3 or 4 more client services representatives.” - Transportation & Warehousing
‣ “We could use 4 to 6 more tow truck drivers.” - Transportation & Warehousing
‣ “We have two positions open in aircraft maintenance.” - Transportation & Warehousing
‣ “We could use 2 more gas attendants.” - Wholesale & Retail Trade
On balance, 1 per cent of the employers anticipate employment in their company will
increase over the next three months.
Do#you#an(cipate#employment#will#increase,##
Once any current vacant positions are filled, 8 decrease#or#stay#the#same#in#the#next#3#months?#
per cent of the employers anticipate
Increase$ Decrease$ Balance$
employment in their company will increase 10%$
over the next three months, 7 per cent 5%$ 1%$
anticipate employment will decrease, and 85
0%$ !3%$
per cent anticipate employment will stay about
the same, for a positive balance of 1 per cent. 16 !5%$
In Q3 2016, 3 per cent of the employers on !10%$
balance anticipated employment would !15%$
decrease. Q3$2016$ Q3$2017$
Transportation and warehousing and finance,
insurance, real estate and leasing employers are the most positive about future employment levels, with
10 per cent on balance anticipating employment will increase in the three months following their
survey. In contrast, 10 per cent of the construction employers on balance anticipate employment will
decrease.
16Percentage of employers that anticipate employment in their company will increase in the next three months minus the
percentage of employers that anticipate employment will decrease.
Calgary and Area Labour Market - 2017 Q3 Report23
EMPLOYER SURVEY
Future Employment
Percentage of companies that anticipated an increase or decrease in total employment in the
3 months following their survey
Q3 2016 Q3 2017
Increase Decrease Balance Increase Decrease Balance
Overall Results 9% 12% -3% 8% 7% 1%
Results by Industry
Mining & Oil & Gas 5% 10% -5% 5% 5% 0%
Construction 10% 20% -10% 10% 20% -10%
Manufacturing 10% 5% 5% 5% 10% -5%
Wholesale & Retail Trade 10% 35% -25% 5% 10% -5%
Transportation & Warehousing 15% 0% 15% 10% 0% 10%
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 25% 15% 10% 10% 5% 5%
Health Care & Social Assistance 5% 0% 5% 10% 5% 5%
Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment 5% 30% -25% 10% 15% -5%
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing 10% 5% 5% 10% 0% 10%
Other 0% 0% 0% 5% 0% 5%
Overall, in the three months following their survey, employers anticipate employment will increase by
62 and decrease by 77, for a net employment decrease of 15 people. Transportation and warehousing
employers anticipate a net employment increase of 15 people, while construction employers anticipate
a net employment decrease of 38 people. Additional details on anticipated changes in employment can
be found in Appendix B.
Anticipated change in employment over the following three months
Q3 2016 Q3 2017
Increase Decrease Increase Decrease
Industry Net # Net #
# # # #
Transportation & Warehousing 9 0 9 15 0 15
Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment 13 65 -52 20 15 5
Other 0 0 0 5 0 5
Health Care & Social Assistance 1 0 1 3 1 2
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 11 27 -16 3 1 2
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing 3 2 1 2 0 2
Mining & Oil & Gas 3 7 -4 1 2 -1
Manufacturing 7 3 4 1 3 -2
Wholesale & Retail Trade 13 16 -3 1 6 -5
Construction 5 13 -8 11 49 -38
Total 65 133 -68 62 77 -15
Comments
‣ “Total employment will decrease by about a dozen people. We will be approaching our end of season
and the university students we employ will go back to school in September.” - Accommodation &
Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
‣ “We will be hiring an additional 15 people in food and beverage positions.” - Accommodation &
Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
‣ “I hope to increase so I can staff the restaurant properly.” - Accommodation & Food Services/Arts &
Entertainment
Calgary and Area Labour Market - 2017 Q3 Report24
EMPLOYER SURVEY
‣ “I will be laying off four carpenters by November 1.” - Construction
‣ “We will let about five contractors go due to seasonality.” - Construction
‣ “Hopefully we will increase by at least 10 concrete finishers.” - Construction
‣ “In the next little while we will be letting six to ten people go.” - Construction
‣ “We will layoff another 30 heavy equipment operators.” - Construction
‣ “Total employment will remain the same for the next three months, but maybe in the last quarter of
the year we might make a decision to downsize.” - Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing
‣ “I expect it will probably continue to decrease.” - Health Care & Social Assistance
‣ “We're just writing the ads now for two positions.” - Health Care & Social Assistance
‣ “We are not filling a vacant position due to the economic conditions right now.” - Health Care &
Social Assistance
‣ “We will decrease by two employees.” - Manufacturing
‣ “To the best of my knowledge, it will decrease. We will lose at least one lab technician.” -
Manufacturing
‣ “We're possibly looking at hiring one more salesperson.” - Manufacturing
‣ “We will probably let two accountants go.” - Mining & Oil & Gas
‣ “We are maxed out in terms of staffing and we are just holding in there.” - Mining & Oil & Gas
‣ “We will be adding five more preschool teachers by September.” - Other
‣ “We going into our busy season, so I expect we will increase by another ten drivers.” - Transportation
& Warehousing
‣ “We will increase by three to five people.” - Transportation & Warehousing
‣ “No, we will not increase until after Christmas at least.” - Transportation & Warehousing
‣ “I will be letting three people go in the next three months.” - Wholesale & Retail Trade
Calgary and Area Labour Market - 2017 Q3 Report25
EMPLOYER SURVEY
Recruitment Methods
Career and classified websites was the most successful recruitment method over the
last 12 months.
Most%successful%recruitment%method%over%the%
Organizations use a variety of methods to last%12%months%
recruit workers. Employers were asked to Career$and$classified$websites$ 31%$
specify the recruitment method that was the Word$of$mouth/employee$referrals$
Company$website/internal$pos?ngs$ 7%$
23%$
most successful over the last 12 months. Career Employment$agencies$ 5%$
Social$media$ 3%$
and classified websites was the most WalkEins/unsolicited$resumes$ 3%$
Newspapers$ 2%$
successful, reported by 31 per cent of the Rehires$ 1%$
Industry$associa?ons$ 1%$
employers (28 employers specified Indeed, 14 Other$ 1%$
Signage$ 1%$
specified Kijiji, 3 specified Job Bank and 1 Unsure$ 1%$
None$ 1%$
employer each specified Job Shop, Reach Hire Did$not$hire$in$the$last$12$months$ 17%$
and Workopolis). Word of mouth/employee 0%$ 5%$ 10%$ 15%$ 20%$ 25%$ 30%$ 35%$
referrals was the second most successful
recruitment method, reported by 23 per cent of
the employers, followed by website/internal postings (7 per cent) and employment agencies (5 per
cent). Only 3 per cent of employers said social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter) was the most
successful recruitment method.
The most successful recruitment methods varied by industry. Career/classified websites was the most
successful recruitment method in the manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, transportation and
warehousing, professional, scientific and technical services, health care and social assistance and
accommodation and food services/arts and entertainment industries, while word of mouth/employee
referrals was the most successful recruitment method in the mining and oil and gas, finance, insurance,
real estate and leasing and ‘other’ industries. For construction employers, career/classified websites
and word of mouth/employee referrals tied as the most successful recruitment methods.
Mining%&%Oil%&%Gas%/%Most%successful% Construc-on%.%Most%successful%recruitment%
recruitment%method%over%the%last%12%months% method%over%the%last%12%months%
Word$of$mouth/employee$referrals$ 35%$ Word$of$mouth/employee$referrals$ 35%$
Career$and$classified$websites$ 15%$
Career$and$classified$websites$ 35%$
Social$media$ 10%$
Company$website/internal$posBngs$ 10%$
None$ 10%$
Walk9ins/unsolicited$resumes$ 5%$
Employment$agencies$ 5%$
Company$website/internal$pos26
EMPLOYER SURVEY
Manufacturing%/%Most%successful%recruitment% Whole/Retail%Trade%3%Most%successful%
method%over%the%last%12%months% recruitment%method%over%the%last%12%months%
Career$and$classified$websites$ 35%$
Career$and$classified$websites$ 50%$
Word$of$mouth/employee$referrals$ 15%$
Word$of$mouth/employee$referrals$ 15%$ WalkDins/unsolicited$resumes$ 10%$
Signage$ 5%$
Social$media$ 5%$
Newspapers$ 5%$
High$schools$(RAP$program)$ 5%$ Employment$agencies$ 5%$
Company$website/internal$pos27
EMPLOYER SURVEY
Fin,%Ins,%Real%Est%&%Leasing%4%Most%successful% Other%+%Most%successful%recruitment%method%
recruitment%method%over%the%last%12%months%% over%the%last%12%months%
Word$of$mouth/employee$referrals$ 19%$ Word$of$mouth/employee$referrals$ 45%$
Employment$agencies$ 14%$ Company$website/internal$posDngs$ 15%$
Company$website/internal$posBngs$ 14%$ Career$and$classified$websites$ 15%$
Social$media$ 10%$ Unsure$ 5%$
Career$and$classified$websites$ 10%$ Job$fairs$ 5%$
Unsure$ 5%$ Employment$agencies$ 5%$
Did$not$hire$in$the$last$12$months$ 29%$ Did$not$hire$in$the$last$12$months$ 10%$
0%$ 10%$ 20%$ 30%$ 40%$ 50%$ 0%$ 10%$ 20%$ 30%$ 40%$ 50%$
n=21% n=20%
Comments
‣ “We work more so with word of mouth based hires. We employ a lot of young university students or
high school students that come in on a part time basis and are recommended by people we know.” -
Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
‣ “I would say that the most successful strategy is probably hiring and advertising locally. We are
focused on bringing people on who are already in Cochrane.” - Accommodation & Food Services/
Arts & Entertainment
‣ “Posting on our website is all we really need to do. I guess that is a sign of the times and of the
economic conditions.” - Construction
‣ “We are just calling back our old employees.” - Construction
‣ “We use local newsprint advertising.” - Health Care & Social Assistance
‣ “We recruit through the Calgary Chamber of Volunteer Organizations, ReachHire and Charity
Village.” - Health Care & Social Assistance
‣ “We have resumes on file that people have just dropped off. We just go through them. We don't do
any advertising or anything like that.” - Health Care & Social Assistance
‣ “We use ReachHire, Indeed and the Alberta College of Social Workers.” - Health Care & Social
Assistance
‣ “The most successful recruitment resources are the RAP program for high school students and youth
employment through the Calgary Construction Association.” - Manufacturing
‣ “We usually hire people with prior work association with current staff.” - Mining & Oil & Gas
‣ “We don't really use recruitment methods. We have just been promoting from within.” - Mining &
Oil & Gas
‣ “The market is saturated with candidates, so it's not really been difficult at all. We have just been
hiring through word of mouth.” - Mining & Oil & Gas
Calgary and Area Labour Market - 2017 Q3 Report28
EMPLOYER SURVEY
‣ “[We use] Indeed because it's cheap and I've been very impressed by the results from it.” - Other
‣ “We use social media, so Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter.” - Professional, Scientific & Technical
Services
‣ “The most successful has been advertising on the Calgary Herald. That then goes out to Workopolis
and Monster.” - Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
‣ “I find face to face talking with people is the best way to determine if they're a good fit. We have
people calling us on the phone and saying they're looking for a job. We will ask them to come in and
see us for anything we might have available.” - Transportation & Warehousing
‣ “We've been advertising through Indeed and Alberta Jobs. However, Canmore is a different story
because it's located in the mountains and it's a smaller town. People who live there dropped off
resumes to us and we kept them on file. When a position opens up we interviewed them from that
pool and we tried to stay in the community when we could.” - Wholesale & Retail Trade
‣ “I would say hiring is done through the posters in our store.” - Wholesale & Retail Trade
Recruiting Difficulties
Twenty-nine per cent of the employers reported having difficulty recruiting qualified
employees.
Overall, 29 per cent of the employers said they Percentage)of)companies)that)had)difficulty)
had difficulty recruiting qualified employees in recrui6ng)in)the)12)months)prior)to)survey)
Q3#2017# Q3#2016#
the 12 months prior to their survey, up from 17
Overall# 29%#
per cent in Q3 2016. Half of the Accom.#&#Food/Arts#&#Ent.# 50%#
Transporta=on#&#Warehousing# 45%#
accommodation and food services/arts and Wholesale#&#Retail#Trade# 40%#
entertainment employers and 45 per cent of the Other# 35%#
Construc=on# 30%#
transportation and warehousing employers had Fin.,#Insur.,#Real#Est.#&#Leasing# 29%#
Manufacturing# 25%#
difficulty recruiting qualified employees, Health#Care#&#Social#Assistance# 20%#
Professional,#Scien=fic#&#Tech.# 15%#
compared to only 5 per cent of the mining and Mining#&#Oil#&#Gas# 5%#
oil and gas employers. 0%# 10%# 20%# 30%# 40%# 50%# 60%#
The 59 employers that reported having
difficulty recruiting were also asked to specify the occupations that were the most difficult to fill. The
top two reported occupations were facility operation and maintenance managers (8 per cent) and truck
drivers (7 per cent).
Calgary and Area Labour Market - 2017 Q3 Report29
EMPLOYER SURVEY
What occupations have been the most difficult to fill?
Employers
NOC Code Occupation
%
714 Facility operation and maintenance managers 8%
7511 Truck drivers 7%
1241 Secretaries (except legal and medical) 5%
1521 Shippers and receivers 5%
6231 Insurance agents and brokers 5%
6421 Retail salespersons 5%
6731 Light duty cleaners 5%
121 Insurance, real estate and financial brokerage managers 3%
311 Managers in health care 3%
4214 Early childhood educators and assistants 3%
6221 Technical sales specialists - wholesale trade 3%
6711 Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related occupations 3%
Note: 59 employers reported having difficulty recruiting qualified employees.
Some employers did not specify which occupations.
Only occupations with 3% or more shown in the table.
Comments
‣ “They're all difficult to fill in this town. Canmore is a very expensive place to live in. With wages at
$14-16/hour, you can't find local employees. You can find staff from Montreal or Edmonton or
somewhere else, but if you don't have staff accommodations to offer them then you're hooped.” -
Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
‣ “The most difficult positions to recruit for are opening cooks, supervisors, and junior managers.” -
Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
‣ “It's hard to find night auditors.” - Accommodation & Food Services/Arts & Entertainment
‣ “It's difficult to recruit for the late night positions.” - Accommodation & Food Services/Arts &
Entertainment
‣ “Finding qualified carpenters can be difficult.” - Construction
‣ “It can be hard to find plumbing and heating service technicians.” - Construction
‣ “Our operations positions are difficult to fill.” - Construction
‣ “When we put an ad out we find we're getting applications from people with no qualifications or
they're over-qualified.” - Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing
‣ “Yes, for our sales manager position.” - Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing
‣ “Certain roles, mainly in commercial lines of the insurance business.” - Finance, Insurance, Real
Estate & Leasing
‣ “It can be difficult to fill those senior roles.” - Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing
‣ “Yes, we have had difficulty with our dental administration roles.” - Health Care & Social Assistance
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