Companies already onboard to date with funding and resource assistance include: TransCanada, Critical Mass, Jacobs, EnCana, Western Management Consultants and Supply Chain Management.

"Labour supply in the Calgary Region is reaching a critical and decisive stage," says Bruce Graham, President and CEO of Calgary Economic Development. "The access to skilled labour is a number one priority for most businesses - and we need to take action now if we are to sustain our economic prosperity. Forecasts indicate 90,000 potential new jobs for the Region over the five years, but natural population increases and in-migration are not expected to meet that demand. We are bringing together all those who can help make a difference - industry, government and educational institutions - to ensure we have the right people for the right jobs ¡V at the right time."

CalgaryWorks is a major initiative that will see dedicated staff resources and the establishment of an industry advisory committee. The three key priorities are:

1. Communication Tools: A comprehensive plan to deliver regional workforce information and support to human capital attraction efforts (government products/services, labour market trends, industry needs, relocation tools, training program, career opportunities, best practices, recruitment fairs)
2. Labour Force Profile & Forecast: An assessment of labour market trends, occupational projections and shortages for key sectors in the Calgary Region. This project will provide an analysis of Calgary¡¦s occupational mix a decade from now.
3. Best Practices Forum: An industry best practices forum to enhance communication between local business leaders, government, professional associations, educational institutions and accrediting agencies. This forum will help organizations develop successful employment practices and provide a venue for stakeholders to identify gaps in current practices, such as, but not limited to, labour shortages, skills deficits, immigration policy, workforce planning and productivity issues.

"The attraction and retention of talent is crucial to our growth and on-going operations as an energy leader in North America, as it is with all companies," says Sarah Raiss, Executive Vice-President of TransCanada Corporation. "CalgaryWorks is an innovative approach to addressing critical labour issues as a community, rather than in isolation. The Calgary business community can only benefit from a collaborative approach to solutions, opportunities and best practices. TransCanada is proud to be a partner of the CalgaryWorks initiative."

"Many businesses today rely heavily on technology and customer service therefore; we need to ensure that skills and attributes such as creativity and innovation continue to grow and thrive in Calgary," says Evelyn Cutts, Human Resources Director for Critical Mass. "Thanks to Calgary Economic Development, CalgaryWorks presents a unique and exciting opportunity for the Calgary business community to work together in dealing with the labour realities of the 21st century."

Key indicators of the Calgary Region's tight labour force:

Unemployment Rate

• Lowest 5-year average annual unemployment rate at 5.0% of major Canadian cities.
• Over the past six months Calgary's unemployment rate has fallen to 3.0% - 3.8%

Forecasted New Jobs

• Approximately 90,000 new jobs for the Calgary Economic Region over the next five years - highest of any economic region in Canada and well over one third of all new jobs in Alberta.

Population Increase

• New jobs in the Calgary Region expected to increase at an annual average rate of approximately 2.2% between .
• During the same time period, the total population for Calgary is only expected to increase at a rate of 1.2%.

Training & Education

• 43% of Albertans complete Post-Secondary Education (PSE), while 61% of the Calgary population has completed PSE, indicating high reliance on in-migration, which is forecasted to decrease steadily over the same time period.

CalgaryWorks is the result of Calgary Economic Development's extensive consultation with industry, government, business and the education sectors over the past year. CalgaryWorks will operate in concert with other organizations addressing the labour and skills development issues, such as Campus Calgary (Post-Secondary Institutions), Talent Pool Project (The Calgary Chamber of Commerce), Economic and Labour Market Information Industry Network (AHRE) - and the upcoming Career Show at the Roundup Centre October 28 / 29.

To review the complete CalgaryWorks Workforce Development Initiative abstract Download PDF

For hard copies, please email info

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For more information:
Paul Bowen
Calgary Economic Development