Centre stage for Alberta’s labour market research

Canada's labour market is constantly evolving and Alberta's government is investing in labour market research so it can better understand Alberta's labour force. Looking toward the future, Alberta's government knows Albertans deserve the best data so individuals and governments alike can plan long-term for their career and training needs. The new Alberta Centre for Labour Market Research will adopt an Alberta-first approach, providing job insights and recommendations tailored specifically to benefit this province, now and for the future.

"The Alberta Centre for Labour Market Research is a game-changer for Albertans - empowering students, job seekers and employers with critical information they need to navigate our dynamic labour market. This investment is not just about supporting research. It's about shaping the future of our workforce and forging a stronger, more resilient economy for all Albertans."

Matt Jones, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade

Operating out of the University of Alberta's College of Social Sciences and Humanities, the centre will be funded by Alberta's government with an annual grant of almost $400,000 (2024-2026). Its work will be crucial for understanding emerging labour market issues affecting Albertans and providing impartial research to guide policies that enhance Alberta's labour market resilience. The centre is part of the Alberta at Work initiative, which is aimed at enhancing the labour market information available to Albertans.

By investing in Alberta's labour market research environment, Alberta's government is empowering researchers to explore critical policy issues that directly affect Albertans. Undergraduate and graduate students are also being equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to understand and address labour market challenges in the future.

"The Alberta Centre for Labour Market Research, hosted at the University of Alberta, is a pivotal investment in our province's future. By providing in-depth, Alberta-specific insights, we're equipping our students with the information they need to navigate our evolving labour market and succeed in their future careers. This initiative will drive informed decision-making and foster a more resilient and prosperous Alberta."

Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Advanced Education

The Alberta Centre for Labour Market Research will comprise 25 labour market researchers across five higher education institutions in Alberta, including Athabasca University, Mount Royal University, the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary and the University of Lethbridge.

"Thanks to the foresight and generosity of Alberta's government, the Alberta Centre for Labour Market Research will be able to provide Albertans with high-quality information on key labour trends and issues as they emerge. This helps every Albertan to make better decisions, whether it be a new grad looking for a job, a CEO making long-term business decisions or policymakers looking to invest in the future and in our province. Perhaps most importantly, we want to hear about the labour market from Albertans. What are the challenges they face? What are their research questions? The more input we get from Albertans and others that care about Alberta, the better the outcomes."

Joseph Marchand, director, Alberta Centre for Labour Market Research

The establishment of the Alberta Centre for Labour Market Research, coupled with a dedicated public website, ensures researchers and the public alike will have easy access to the latest insights from Alberta's top researchers.

Albertans can also submit their ideas for potential research topics to the centre on Alberta.ca. These recommendations will be considered by the research teams to ensure the centre's work aligns with the needs of Albertans.

Quick facts

• The Alberta Centre for Labour Market Research was established on Feb. 12, 2024, under the Alberta at Work Labour Market Information Enhancement Initiative, following an open call for proposals.
  • The centre will be funded by a $1.2-million grant ($399,945 annually) over the next three years from Jobs, Economy and Trade.
  • The centre is being led by Joseph Marchand, a professor of economics at the University of Alberta, co-director of the Institute of Public Economics and director of WELM-Arts, a research and creative collaboration in the area of Work, Employment and Labour Markets within the Faculty of Arts.

Related information

• ACLMR website
• ACLMR research topic submissions

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