Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration - Request for Proposal - Labour Market Information for Skilled Trades in Alberta

Jobs, Economy and Trade recognizes the critical importance of accurate and detailed labour market information (LMI) in guiding informed decision-making processes for workforce planning, education, training initiatives and policy development in the Province of Alberta. While existing LMI provides valuable insights into the overall labour market, there is a distinct need for more targeted and specific information related to skilled trades and related occupations. The current classification structure, such as the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system, presents challenges as it often groups specific and less common job titles under more generic categories. For instance, the NOC code 73400 heavy equipment operators consolidates specific job titles such as: backhoe operator; bulldozer operator; and heavy equipment operator under a single category, limiting the precision of analysis for these occupations. Private data collectors offer information on specific job titles within the skilled trades; however, the frequency of data collection, geographical coverage and the variety of indicators collected can be inconsistent. These limitations pose challenges to obtaining detailed and comprehensive insights necessary for effective decision-making. To address these challenges, Jobs, Economy and Trade seeks to embark on a project to enhance the precision and relevance of skilled trades labour market information. This initiative aims to fill existing information gaps, provide more accurate and detailed insights into skilled trades and related occupations, and establish a foundation for more informed policy and planning decisions.