Workforce Composition by Status

In the most recent month, Full-time Employment increased by 6,600 jobs from last month and increased by 100 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Part-time Employment decreased by 2,200 jobs from last month and increased by 10,200 jobs year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals increased by 500 people from the previous month and decreased by 4,100 people compared to last year.

Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate increased by 3.2 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate decreased by 2.2 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate increased by 1.8 percentage points year-over-year.

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels increased by 4,400 jobs from the previous month and increased by 10,300 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment increased by 4,400 jobs. Over the last year, the labor market has increased by 10,300 jobs.

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

• Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: 22,700 workers.
• Construction: 16,200 workers.
• Manufacturing: 9,600 workers.

The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, Construction, Manufacturing, which together account for 87.5% of the sector's workforce.

Top 3 Industries in Services Sector

• Wholesale and retail trade: 32,500 workers.
• Health care and social assistance: 24,600 workers.
• Educational services: 14,300 workers.

In the Services sector, Wholesale and retail trade, Health care and social assistance, Educational services lead employment, representing 52.1% of the sector's workforce.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

• Health care and social assistance: Change of 2,300 workers (increased by 10.31%).
• Accommodation and food services: Change of 1,700 workers (decreased by 11.26%).
• Utilities: Change of 1,600 workers (decreased by 100%).
• Manufacturing: Change of 1,500 workers (increased by 18.52%).
• Professional, scientific and technical services: Change of 1,400 workers (decreased by 16.47%).

These industries saw the largest month-over-month changes, indicating short-term trends.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year

• Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 15,600 workers (increased by 92.31%).
• Construction: Change of 6,700 workers (decreased by 29.26%).
• Transportation and warehousing: Change of 4,200 workers (decreased by 32.31%).
• Health care and social assistance: Change of 2,900 workers (increased by 13.36%).
• Agriculture: Change of 2,900 workers (increased by 72.5%).

The year-over-year changes provide insights into longer-term shifts, highlighting industries that have grown or declined significantly.

Conclusion

The overall employment trend is positive, with strong growth in the past year. Key industries driving the trend are: Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, Construction, Wholesale and retail trade, Educational services, Health care and social assistance.

Employment Trends

Total employment in April 2026 was 14,810, showing a steady increase of 290 from the previous month. Relative to April last year, employment levels declined by 1,770, showing strain.

Employment Rate Dynamics

The employment rate reached 62.6% in April 2026. This represents a rise of 1.3 percentage points from March (61.3%). Year-over-year, the rate decreased by 7.4 percentage points from 70.0%.

Unemployment Rate Trends

The unemployment rate was 7.4% in April 2026, up 0.3 percentage points from March. Compared to April last year (7.2%), the rate has increased by 0.2 percentage points.

Employment: Regional vs Local Patterns

The weak correlation (-0.61) between regional and local employment levels indicates relatively independent employment patterns. This suggests that local employment dynamics are largely independent from regional trends.

Employment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

Employment rates show a weak correlation (-0.60) between regional and local levels. This suggests distinct local employment rate patterns, suggesting that local labor market conditions operate independently.

Unemployment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

The unemployment rate correlation of 0.65 shows a moderate relationship. This suggests some common unemployment drivers, indicating that there is partial alignment in labor market stress.

Yellowhead County SLA consists of the following communities: Edson, Hinton, Yellowhead County.