The Bulletin

By the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC).

A resumption of oil patch activity, mining activity (particularly potash mining), major projects and housing starts have contributed to the tight labour market conditions for many skilled apprentice trades in Saskatchewan.

An active provincial economy has led to labour market shortages. The 2010 – 2013 Labour Market Conditions for the Apprenticeship Trades in Saskatchewan reports that in 2010, 26 of 34 skilled trades (76%) experienced labour shortages, with six considered severe: hairstylist, ironworker, painter and decorator, powerline technician, roofer, and sheet metal worker.

Looking ahead to 2013, the number of apprentice skilled trades experiencing shortages is expected to remain the same, but conditions for trades experiencing severe shortages are expected to worsen by twice the current shortage.

The Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) and the Ministry of Advanced Education (formerly Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration) jointly surveyed 34 Saskatchewan apprentice trade boards (represented by both employers and employees) to gather information on labour market conditions for each of the skilled trades in 12 regional areas of Saskatchewan.

One of the few readily accessible sources of data for each trade, the survey results provide an important source of critical industry insight into the current and future labour market supply conditions, as well as the retention and recruitment of workers in 34 skilled trades. It also provided projections of future labour market conditions and information on areas where employers are looking to alleviate trade shortages – to the Aboriginal population, youth and immigrants.

Each trade board was asked to rank the labour supply for each individual skilled trade, using a ranking of ‘1’ through ‘5’.  A measure of ‘1’ indicated an excess labour supply, ‘3’ an adequate labour supply, and ‘5’ a severe labour shortage.

Pressing issues related to recruitment and retention of skilled workers is also presented in the report.

The mobility of workers within the province is a current retention concern, while inter-provincial mobility, an aging workforce and the retirement of workers are growing future concerns.

Other retention and recruitment concerns are wage competition from other skilled trades or employers, a lack of qualified workers, a lack of knowledge or interest in skilled trades, and a lack of experienced workers.

It is expected that the 2011 to 2014 version of this report will be publicly released later in 2012.

The full report can be found on the Government of Saskatchewan Website.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 24 July 2012 10:58

By Kerry Young

Like many other parts of Canada, B.C.’s labour market was strongly impacted by the recent recession. It was only in the latter half of 2011 that B.C.’s employment exceeded the pre-recession peak.