By EverythingGP Staff

Addressing Labour Shortage

Work underway to find solutions to skilled labour shortage in the Grande Prairie area

Jul 26, 2021 | 7:35 AM

Advocates for the Grande Prairie area say they are taking a deep dive into ways they can address a skilled labour shortage in order to meet the needs of industry and a growing economy.

Economic Development Manager for the City of Grande Prairie Rebecca Leigh says a recent labour force survey undertaken by area municipalities and the Chamber of Commerce found a big gap in available talent.

“Based on the number of jobs that we have within the community, compared with the skill set and the number of people within that working-age group, we found the gap is about 5,000 jobs that are not being able to be met with our existing labour force.”

She says attention now needs to be turned to how to fill that gap.

“The next step of the study that we’re working on with the County, the MD, the Chamber and the province is taking all the data that we found through the first couple phases of that project, bringing on GPRC to take a look at the programming aspect of it, but then also coming up with strategies for targeting people to fill those jobs.”

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Leigh says one of the most important tasks facing economic leaders in the community is showcasing what makes Grande Prairie a good place to live.

“I think now one of our big priorities for the next couple years is advertising that and showcasing the quality of life and all the reasons people should move to Grande Prairie to pursue job opportunities and set up their lives and create a new home here in Grande Prairie.”

The work to address the shilled labour shortage also comes as Grande Prairie’s population is projected to see some of the largest growth in the province over the next 25 years. The City is expected to reach 100,000 residents by 2046.