22 January, 2013

SASKATCHEWAN EMPLOYMENT SETS RECORDS IN 2012

Saskatchewan job numbers closed out 2012 with a monthly record high of 539,800 employed people in December, according to the labour force survey released by Statistics Canada today. December's increase of 16,300 over December 2011 marks the 13th consecutive month where records have been set.

"2012 was a very successful year for our province, with strong job growth of 2.1 per cent and jobs up by 11,200 from the previous year," Economy Minister Bill Boyd said. "We are working diligently to encourage even more people to choose Saskatchewan as their place to live, work, do business, and raise a family, and are looking forward to an equally successful 2013."

Saskatchewan's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 4.6 per cent was once again the second lowest in the country. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 7.1 per cent.

Other year-over-year highlights include:

• Saskatchewan's growth rate of 3.1 per cent was the third highest among the provinces;
• Full-time employment increased by 11,400 for 20 months of record monthly highs and part-time jobs increased by 5,000;
• The goods producing sector was a key contributor to strong employment growth of 10.8 per cent which includes gains in construction, agriculture, manufacturing and forestry, mining, oil and gas;
• Regina's employment was up by 2,800 (2.2 per cent) for 32 months of year-over-year gains, and Saskatoon's employment was up by 7,100 (4.9 per cent) for 14 months of year-over-year gains;
• Regina's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3 per cent, the lowest rate among all Canadian major cities;
• The seasonally adjusted youth unemployment rate was 9.9 per cent, once again the second lowest among the provinces; and
• Off-reserve Aboriginal employment was up by 500 (1.3 per cent) in 2012.

"Saskatchewan is in an enviable position - we are seeing growth all around us," Boyd said. "The Saskatchewan Plan for Growth has laid out a very clear direction for the province and that will mean more growth, more investment, and more people working and living here."

Source http://www.gov.sk.ca