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Rob Norris

 Saskatchewan's Minister of Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration is optimistic our region will be able to find enough people to fill the large number of job openings throughout the southwest.

The latest report from Stats Canada shows the number of people employed in Swift Current/Moose Jaw dropped from 50,600 in December of 2010 to 48,900 this past December. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate continues to drop, in part thanks to a shrinking labour force.

Rob Norris isn't worried about that trend.

"I'm attentive to it," Norris said. "Am I concerned? Not with the announcements that we've seen recently. For example, investments in advancements in new potash production. That's going to change and enhance the opportunities for employment right across the region and well beyond."

Norris points to a very low unemployment rate of 3.9% and the tremendous number of job opportunities in the region.

"Within the area there has been a more than 45% increase on the Saskjobs.ca website on the number of job vacancies year over year," Norris said. "We see considerably more employment opportunities, we see more people moving into the area. We do see more retirements and that helps to account for some of these mixed numbers."

The labour force has dropped from 53,300 to 50,900.

Norris is confident the large number of job openings in the region will draw more new people to build up that labour force. He also notes the government is working with employers to try and attract people to the province and the municipalities are both active centres when it comes to welcoming newcomers.

Interview with Minister of Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration Rob Norris: