Workforce Composition by Status

In the most recent month, Full-time Employment increased by 3,900 jobs from last month and decreased by 8,200 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Part-time Employment decreased by 1,000 jobs from last month and increased by 8,200 jobs year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals increased by 300 people from the previous month and increased by 1,000 people compared to last year.

Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate decreased by 0.8 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate increased by 0.8 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate decreased by 0.5 percentage points year-over-year.

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels increased by 2,900 jobs from the previous month and remained unchanged compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment increased by 2,900 jobs. Over the last year, the labor market has remained unchanged.

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

• Construction: 14,100 workers.
• Manufacturing: 8,600 workers.
• Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: 8,000 workers.

The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Construction, Manufacturing, Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, which together account for 94.8% of the sector's workforce.

Top 3 Industries in Services Sector

• Health care and social assistance: 18,100 workers.
• Wholesale and retail trade: 15,600 workers.
• Accommodation and food services: 14,300 workers.

In the Services sector, Health care and social assistance, Wholesale and retail trade, Accommodation and food services lead employment, representing 52.7% of the sector's workforce.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

• Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 2,200 workers (increased by 16.42%).
• Professional, scientific and technical services: Change of 1,400 workers (decreased by 20.9%).
• Construction: Change of 1,000 workers (increased by 7.63%).
• Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing: Change of 700 workers (increased by 10.45%).
• Accommodation and food services: Change of 700 workers (increased by 5.15%).

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

Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year

• Accommodation and food services: Change of 7,300 workers (increased by 104.29%).
• Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 5,200 workers (decreased by 25%).
• Construction: Change of 4,800 workers (increased by 51.61%).
• Manufacturing: Change of 3,900 workers (decreased by 31.2%).
• Agriculture: Change of 3,300 workers (decreased by 66%).

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

Conclusion

Employment has seen a decline over the year, highlighting some challenges in the job market. Key industries driving the trend are: Construction, Manufacturing, Wholesale and retail trade, Health care and social assistance, Accommodation and food services.

Employment Trends

Total employment in June 2026 was 42,770, showing a steady increase of 340 from the previous month. From June last year, employment levels contracted by 470, showing weakness.

Employment Rate Dynamics

The employment rate reached 60.7% in June 2026. This represents a rise of 0.4 percentage points from May (60.3%). Year-over-year, the rate decreased by 1.2 percentage points from 61.9%.

Unemployment Rate Trends

The unemployment rate was 5.5% in June 2026, down 0.9 percentage points from May. Compared to June last year (5.3%), the rate has increased by 0.2 percentage points.

Employment: Regional vs Local Patterns

The weak correlation (-0.18) 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 (-0.06) 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 -0.31 shows a weak relationship. This points to distinct local unemployment dynamics, indicating that local unemployment follows its own distinct pattern.

Red Deer County SLA consists of the following communities: Alix, Bentley, Birchcliff, Blackfalds, Bowden, Clive, Delburne, Eckville, Elnora, Gull Lake, Half Moon Bay, Innisfail, Lacombe County, Parkland Beach, Penhold, Ponoka, Ponoka County, Red Deer County, Rimbey, Sunbreaker Cove.