According to the latest Labour Force Survey results, a surge in part-time jobs pushed Alberta’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate down slightly, going from 11.1 per cent in December to 10.7 per cent in January.

The survey reflects labour market conditions during the week of January 10 to 16.

While Alberta’s unemployment rate fell, the national rate rose 0.6 percentage points to 9.4 per cent, reaching its highest level since August 2020.

There were 262,700 Albertans actively looking for work but unable to find it in January.

The total number of jobs in Alberta increased by 20,800 (1.0 per cent) in January. Full-time employment edged down by an estimated 300 positions (0.02 per cent) while part-time jobs increased by 21,100 (5.4 per cent).

The opposite was the case nationally, with part-time jobs falling by 6.7 per cent while full-time employment managed to rise by 0.1 per cent. The losses in part-time work were concentrated in the Quebec and Ontario retail trade sectors.

With new public health measures in place in Alberta as of December 13 requiring all restaurants, pubs, bars, lounges and cafes to shut down in-person service, accommodation and food services sector employment fell by 17.3 per cent (17,900) in January compared to December.

Meanwhile, decent gains occurred in construction (up 7.2 per cent or 15,300 jobs), business, building and other support services (up 10.4 per cent or 6,900 jobs) and educational services (up 5.8 per cent or 8,800 jobs).

Employment in the province was down by 3.5 per cent (79,600) compared to the previous January.

Answer to the previous trivia question: The first oil well in Alberta capable of producing hundreds of barrels a day struck oil in 1902 and is located  in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Today’s trivia question: What age range is included in the Labour Force Survey? Is it: 18 to 64; 18 and over; or 15 and over?