Labour
Population and Growth
Population by Municipality
| Municipality | 2008 Population | 2006 Population | % Change |
| County of Barrhead | 5,845 | 5,845 | - |
| County of Thorhild | 3,042 | 3,042 | - |
| Town of Barrhead | 4,209 | 4,209 | - |
| Town of Swan Hills | 1,858 | 1,645 | 12.9% |
| Town of Westlock | 4,964 | 5,008 | -0.9% |
| Village of Clyde | 470 | 470 | - |
| Westlock County | 6,910 | 6,966 | -0.8% |
| Woodlands County | 4,158 | 4,158 | - |
| TOTAL | 31,456 | 31,343 | 0.4% |
Sources: Statistics Canada 2006 Census, Alberta Municipal Affairs 2009
Population by Age Group
The GROWTH Alberta region is home to more than 31,000 Albertans.
In the face of broad trends toward urbanization, the region is maintaining its population, including a healthy foundation of local youth. This is, in part, due to the efforts of the municipalities and school boards that comprise GROWTH Alberta. The region has an active youth retention strategy, and is committed to ongoing efforts designed to maintain our population.
Sources: Statistics Canada 2006 Census, Alberta Municipal Affairs 2009
Labour
Labour Force Participation (aged 15 and over)
The region enjoys a healthy level of labour force participation for people aged 15 and over (69.2%) with significant work force activity in industry centres such as Woodlands County (77.2%) and Swan Hills (80.7%).
At the same time, unemployment rates in the region are extremely low, with a regional average of 3.5% and a low of 2.5% in the Town of Swan Hills (Statistics Canada 2006 Census).
Source: Statistics Canada 2006 Census
Although the unemployment rate in the province of Alberta rose to 4.4% in January of 2009, the province still enjoys one of the highest unemployment rates in all of Canada (compared to the national unemployment rate of 7.2%).
Total Experienced Labour Force (aged 15 and over, by Industry)
| Occupation | GROWTH Alberta Region | Alberta | * | ||||
| Total | Male | Female | Total | Male | Female | ||
| Agriculture and other resource-based industries | 4,695 | 3,400 | 1,300 | 228,520 | 168,230 | 60,285 | 2.05% |
| Other services | 2,495 | 1,185 | 1,300 | 352,760 | 161,925 | 190,835 | 0.71% |
| Business services | 1,945 | 1,145 | 785 | 354,265 | 212,695 | 141,575 | 0.55% |
| Retail trade | 1,480 | 685 | 795 | 206,655 | 90,015 | 116,645 | 0.72% |
| Health care and social services | 1,450 | 115 | 1,330 | 175,200 | 27,060 | 148,140 | 0.83% |
| Construction | 1,400 | 1,160 | 240 | 169,420 | 143,610 | 25,810 | 0.83% |
| Educational services | 1,115 | 320 | 790 | 120,460 | 37,150 | 83,315 | 0.93% |
| Wholesale trade | 645 | 530 | 135 | 85,515 | 59,860 | 25,960 | 0.51% |
| Finance and real estate | 495 | 165 | 320 | 97,465 | 40,510 | 56,960 | 0.51% |
| TOTAL | 16,875 | 9,530 | 7,335 | 1,928,635 | 1,043,790 | 884,850 | 0.87% |
*Proportion of Provincial Total by Industry
Source: Statistics Canada 2006 Census
The GROWTH Alberta region has a relatively high level of experienced labour in agriculture and resource-based industries, and in educational services.
Total Experienced Labour Force (aged 15 and over, by Occupation)
| Occupation | GROWTH Alberta Region | Alberta | * | ||||
| Total | Male | Female | Total | Male | Female | ||
| Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations | 3,950 | 3,555 | 385 | 350,360 | 323,725 | 26,635 | 1.13% |
| Occupations unique to primary industry | 3,260 | 2,380 | 865 | 117,500 | 92,145 | 25,355 | 2.77% |
| Business, finance and administration occupations | 2,320 | 340 | 1,980 | 340,430 | 86,675 | 253,755 | 0.68% |
| Management occupations | 1,290 | 895 | 385 | 187,240 | 121,045 | 66,195 | 0.69% |
| Occupations in social science, education, government service and religion | 845 | 275 | 555 | 136,610 | 43,620 | 92,990 | 0.62% |
| Health occupations | 805 | 90 | 700 | 103,620 | 19,140 | 84,475 | 0.78% |
| Occupations unique to processing, manufacturing and utilities | 760 | 610 | 165 | 65,365 | 48,705 | 1,666 | 1.16% |
| Natural and applied sciences and related occupations | 405 | 335 | 70 | 144,240 | 114,280 | 29,955 | 0.28% |
| Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport | 185 | 55 | 115 | 45,160 | 18,530 | 26,630 | 0.41% |
| TOTAL | 16,870 | 9,540 | 7,340 | 1,928,635 | 1,043,790 | 884,850 | 0.87% |
* Proportion of Provincial Total by Occupation
Source: Statistics Canada 2006 Census
The GROWTH Alberta region also has a significant proportion of skilled trades, transport and equipment operators; primary industry occupations; and occupations unique to processing, manufacturing and utilities.
Educational Attainment (aged 15 years and over)
| Highest Level of Education | GROWTH Alberta Region | Alberta | ||||||
| Total | Male | Female | Total | |||||
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 8,795 | 35.9% | 4,620 | 37.2% | 4,175 | 34.6% | 614,865 | 23.4% |
| High school certificate or equivalent | 6,565 | 26.8% | 2,865 | 23.0% | 3,710 | 30.7% | 688,140 | 26.2% |
| Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma | 3,505 | 14.3% | 2,510 | 20.2% | 995 | 8.2% | 285,815 | 10.9% |
| College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma | 3,620 | 14.8% | 1,615 | 13.0% | 2,020 | 16.7% | 472,210 | 18.0% |
| University certificate or diploma below the bachelor level | 540 | 2.2% | 150 | 1.2% | 375 | 3.1% | 105,680 | 4.0% |
| University certificate, diploma or degree | 1,485 | 6.1% | 665 | 5.3% | 825 | 6.8% | 458,425 | 17.5% |
Source: Statistics Canada 2006 Census
Although the proportion of GROWTH Alberta residents with no certificate of education is slightly higher than the provincial average, the region's strength in registered trades education is again demonstrated by the significantly higher number of trade graduates relative to the provincial average.
