Workforce Composition by Status

In the most recent month, Full-time Employment decreased by 300 jobs from last month and decreased by 6,000 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Part-time Employment decreased by 100 jobs from last month and decreased by 4,400 jobs year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals decreased by 1,400 people from the previous month and decreased by 300 people compared to last year.

Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate decreased by 6.1 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate increased by 0.3 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate decreased by 6.2 percentage points year-over-year.

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels decreased by 300 jobs from the previous month and decreased by 10,300 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment decreased by 300 jobs. Over the last year, the labor market has decreased by 10,300 jobs.

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

• Agriculture: 7,100 workers.
• Construction: 6,700 workers.
• Manufacturing: 6,600 workers.

The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Agriculture, Construction, Manufacturing, which together account for 81.3% of the sector's workforce.

Top 3 Industries in Services Sector

• Wholesale and retail trade: 16,200 workers.
• Health care and social assistance: 15,000 workers.
• Accommodation and food services: 7,000 workers.

In the Services sector, Wholesale and retail trade, Health care and social assistance, Accommodation and food services lead employment, representing 51.1% of the sector's workforce.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

• Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 1,400 workers (increased by 9.46%).
• Agriculture: Change of 1,300 workers (increased by 22.41%).
• Health care and social assistance: Change of 1,300 workers (increased by 9.49%).
• Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: Change of 1,200 workers (decreased by 20.34%).
• Construction: Change of 1,200 workers (decreased by 15.19%).
• Manufacturing: Change of 1,200 workers (decreased by 15.38%).

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

Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year

• Agriculture: Change of 4,900 workers (decreased by 40.83%).
• Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: Change of 3,700 workers (decreased by 44.05%).
• Public administration: Change of 2,000 workers (increased by 51.28%).
• Transportation and warehousing: Change of 2,000 workers (decreased by 28.99%).
• Accommodation and food services: Change of 1,400 workers (increased by 25%).

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: Agriculture, Construction, Wholesale and retail trade, Health care and social assistance, Accommodation and food services, Other services (except public administration).

Employment Trends

Total employment in April 2026 was 5,900, showing a substantial increase of 220 from the previous month. Relative to April last year, employment levels showed an uptick of 370, showing strength.

Employment Rate Dynamics

The employment rate reached 60.9% in April 2026. This represents a rise of 2.2 percentage points from March (58.7%). Year-over-year, the rate improved by 3.2 percentage points from 57.7%.

Unemployment Rate Trends

The unemployment rate was 5.4% in April 2026, down 0.4 percentage points from March. Compared to April last year (6.6%), the rate has decreased by 1.2 percentage points.

Employment: Regional vs Local Patterns

The moderate correlation (0.32) between regional and local employment levels indicates some alignment in employment trends. This suggests that local employment partially reflects regional patterns.

Employment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

Employment rates show a moderate correlation (0.33) between regional and local levels. This shows moderate similarity in workforce engagement, suggesting that there are some shared labor market influences.

Unemployment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

The unemployment rate correlation of 0.17 shows a weak relationship. This points to distinct local unemployment dynamics, indicating that local unemployment follows its own distinct pattern.

Kneehill County SLA consists of the following communities: Acme, Carbon, Kneehill County, Linden, Three Hills, Trochu.