by SHCA SHCA

More People Working in Saskatchewan than Ever Before

Today, job numbers released by Statistics Canada for June 2022 show Saskatchewan added 22,300 jobs, an increase of 3.9 per cent, compared to June 2021. All of the growth was in full-time jobs.

Seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 3.9 per cent in June 2022, the second lowest among the provinces. It was down from 6.6 per cent a year ago, down from 4.8 per cent a month ago, and well below the national average of 4.9 per cent. 3.9 per cent represents the lowest unemployment rate in Saskatchewan since November 2014.

“Saskatchewan’s economy continues on a strong and enviable growth path with a low unemployment rate and significant job gains,” Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “Our government will continue to support the job creators and workers to accelerate our economic growth in communities across the province.”

For two consecutive months, several all-time employment records were hit, including overall employment (592,900), female employment (276,300), off-reserve Indigenous employment (67,400), and off-reserve Indigenous full-time employment (55,700).

Major year-over-year employment gains were reported for healthcare, and social assistance up 8,200 jobs, construction up 4,000 jobs, accommodation and food services, up 3,400 jobs. Over the same period, the private sector was up 19,000 jobs (+5.8 per cent), female employment increased by 11,300 jobs (+4.3 per cent) and youth (aged 15-24) employment was up by 6,000 jobs (+7.1 per cent).

In June 2022, Saskatchewan’s seasonally adjusted employment of 577,800 exceeded its pre-COVID February 2020 employment level of 574,100.

by SHCA SHCA

Brandt to Create up to 200 Jobs with New Moose Jaw Trailer Factory

The Brandt Group of Companies is pleased to announce that they will be opening a new utility trailer manufacturing facility in Moose Jaw with production expected to commence in late summer 2022. The company plans to create up to 200 positions over the next three years including assemblers, welders, material handlers, engineers and supervisors, and is hoping to draw as many employees as possible from the local labour pool. 

Hiring will begin immediately with the addition of 70 jobs. 

“Brandt is very excited to become an active member of the Moose Jaw business community and we will be utilizing local contractors to prepare the facility for production,” said Murray Yeager, Brandt vice president, Manufacturing. “Later, when the upgrades are complete, we will employ local vendors for everything from supplies and janitorial services to maintenance and snow removal.”

Moose Jaw was considered an ideal location for the plant, with its strong workforce and history as a centre for trailer production. The move is being made to free up space at Brandt’s North Regina Works campus to expand production for other product lines currently being built in their Regina facilities. 

The company also has long-term plans for additional expansion and more equipment purchases to outfit the plant to produce utility trailers for North America-wide distribution. 

The 64,000 square foot facility was originally home to General Cable and was purchased by Brandt in 2012.