Now that we’re heading to Calgary, I’m taking more of an interest in Alberta’s current affairs. Reading today’s online edition of the Calgary Herald I find news that, on the face of it, seems good – but in the long term might be bad.The Conference Board of Canada is predicting labour shortages in Alberta will worsen over the next 20 years.
For someone looking for work – like me – and who may eventually have children looking for work, this seems like good news. On the other hand, if it hinders Alberta’s economy long-term, it’s bad news.
In more detail, The Conference Board estimates Alberta’s annual shortfall of workers will reach 332,000 by 2025 if current trends continue.
The Board suggests several solutions to Alberta’s labour shortage, including attracting more immigrants, wider recognition of foreign credentials, better training programs and more labour mobility agreements with other provinces.
Certainly the first two of these proposed solutions sound good to me.