Peter Shokeir | [email protected]
The Jasper Employment and Education Centre (JEEC) has launched a study to help understand challenges and opportunities related to the local labour market.
Ginette Marcoux, executive director of JEEC, said she had wanted to do a labour market study on Jasper for more than a decade and especially since the pandemic.
鈥淲e鈥檝e had a lot of changes in people leaving the tourism industry and jobs going unfilled and really not having a snapshot,鈥� Marcoux said.
鈥淓ven though we run the employment centre, we don鈥檛 really know the accurate numbers as far as seasonal workers versus year-round workers.鈥�
The study is expected to not only provide insight in the labour market but also inform advocacy efforts to support local businesses, workers and job seekers.
As an example, the study may help conclude if Jasper needs visas that bring in seasonal temporary foreign workers, or if it would be better for the community to accommodate people who are under-employed five months out of the year.
It could also help determine how much accommodation Jasper has in relation to what is needed to house the workforce.
鈥淚t will be quite holistic, and my hope is it will help all kinds of agencies to kind of inform the future going forward,鈥� Marcoux said.
The study is being led in collaboration with Tourism Jasper, the Jasper Park Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Jasper, Parks Canada and Community Futures West Yellowhead.
鈥淭he tourism industry is the cornerstone of Jasper鈥檚 economy, and a healthy, resilient labour market is critical to businesses providing world-class experiences for visitors,鈥� said James Jackson, president and CEO of Tourism Jasper, in a news release.
鈥淭his labour market study will empower the community to build a best-in-class labour market that will build resilience within Jasper's visitor economy and, in doing so, help attract visitors to Jasper for years to come.鈥�
Ballad Group has been contracted to conduct the research, engagement and reporting for this project, and will be visiting businesses and attending events to gather local perspectives until July 31.
The project is expected to conclude in September, and results will be shared this fall in a public report as well as a presentation to local businesses.
Employers wishing to participate in the study can contact Ballad鈥檚 Alan Gilligan at [email protected]
Labour market participants, whether employed or self-employed, can find the employee survey and more information about the study at www.jasperemployment.com
