Alberta – From labour shortages to 35,000 oilpatch jobs lost

Less than a year ago, Alberta was still complaining of a labour shortage.  Schools couldn’t find bus drivers, job vacancy rates were the highest in the country. 

It’s no secret that the situation has changed.

The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers says that 35,000 oilpatch jobs have been cut this year, 25,000 from the oil services sector and 10,000 from exploration and production. CAPP pulled the number together by canvassing its members, reviewing Statistics Canada numbers and working with the Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors. I have CEOs that have pulled free pop out of the office, because they can save $40,000 across the company and that’s half a job.” – Tim McMillan, CAPP

“This is tough, they’ve been struggling to get a workforce, that was always the challenge,” said Tim McMillan, chief executive of CAPP.

Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor. Read the whole story at Alberta has lost 35,000 oilpatch jobs, petroleum producers say – Business – CBC News