The latest information out about employment in the Drumheller – Camrose region shows that our area has the lowest unemployment rate in the province.
According to information provided through the Province of Alberta, the unemployment rate for our region was 4.7 percent in September and essentially the average over the first 9 months of 2024, the rate has been about 4.6 percent, which is both lower than the provincial and national average. According to Darci Paarup, Program Coordinator with MH Enterprises, the numbers are not too surprising, considering the time of year. “For the time of the year, a lot of the seasonal positions have come to a close and the winter stuff hasn’t really picked up yet. We’re in that awkward zone where there isn’t really a lot happening with our own labour market locally. That being said, there is still opportunities, it’s just the competition for those positions is a lot higher than typically is.”
MH Enterprises goal is to help people find work and show how they are the best candidate for a position. Paarup shares some of the tips they provide those who are seeking a new opportunity. “The biggest thing that we try to help provide is individualized service. Looking at the person, and what’s available, and trying to focus on their skills that are highly marketable, what differentiates them from other job seekers that are looking, and working with them in a one and one basis where we can discover their strengths, find employers that are going to be a solid fit, and even marketing them to employers are not necessarily looking at the moment.” MH Enterprises also has programs where they can provide wage subsidies to employers for the first few months, to make sure that the candidate fits with the business.
Many know the service industry is one of the bigger employers in Drumheller but Paarup has noticed that opportunities have been varied amongst the many sectors. “It seems to be fluctuating at the moment. If you would have been in our office a month ago, we would have said that there were more professional type positions that were available, looking for that higher skilled job seeker. Right now, it is a little bit more of entry level type positions. Next month, it could be totally different. That’s kind of the beauty or the curse of our area.”
Even if you may not see a job opportunity posted, or a help wanted sign in the window, chatting with employers about the possibility is not a bad thing. “It never hurts to have a conversation and it never hurts to build a network. Have conversations with employers, or friends, or family, or people that you know, so they know you are looking. It’s good to consistently network yourself, regardless if you’re looking for work.”
If you are searching for that next opportunity and maybe need a brush up on that resume of yours, visit MH Enterprises in Drumheller on the fourth floor of the Telus Building or their satellite office in Stettler at 5402 51 Avenue, next to the Freedom Church. You can also call 1-877-823-6934 or visit their website
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