Job Market Trends and News

Source: http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/LMI_bulletin.do?cid=3373&AREA=25262&INDUSTRYCD=&EVENTCD=

Week of Feb 16 – Feb 20, 2015

• The Government of Canada has announced $4.9M in funding for a field research station in conjunction with the University of Calgary to promote Carbon Capture and Storage technologies
• Precision Drilling has stopped work at 50 well sites because of lower energy prices and the company subsequently has less work for rig crews
• The Calgary Board of Education has announced that construction contracts have been awarded for five new schools across the city. The schools are projected to open in September 2016, pending any funding changes from the Government of Alberta.
• WestJet Encore has announced the start of daily, non-stop service to Kamloops, BC, effective February 15, 2015
• Princess Auto, an equipment and tool retailer, opened a store in Medicine Hat on February 17, 2015
• Castle Mountain Resort, a ski hill near Pincher Creek, has closed early for the season due to a lack of snow, a problem that has affected the mountain in previous years
• Trinidad Drilling has announced staff reductions of 20%, pay reductions and the suspension of some rig upgrades. The company expects the cuts to affect staff in Calgary and Nisku.
• The Town of Banff has budgeted $4.9M for the design, construction and operation of a self-storage facility, with the net revenue from the facility going to the town for other municipal projects
• The Government of Canada is providing $255,000 for the construction and rehabilitation of recreational trails across the Eastern Slopes area
• Fort Mall, scheduled to open May 1, 2015 in Fort Saskatchewan, is nearing completion following an additional $2M injection to the renovation budget. A residential condominium building and a seniors residence are being added to the development.
• Bluebird Contracting Services has started demolition of the flood affected properties in the Town of High River. Further demolition is planned for the summer of 2015, depending on building assessments.
• The Bank of Montreal branch in High River opened at its permanent location in February 2015, after the floods in 2013 forced the office to relocate to a temporary trailer
• Alberta Education has announced four new public schools and two new Catholic schools in Edmonton, to be built as full-sized, rather than starter schools. The schools are expected to be open in September 2016.
• The Black Dirt Company has received approval from Parkland County to develop a clay pit north of Stony Plain. The company plans to mine the site in 10-acre parcels over a seven-year lifespan.