Employers are paying more and they are having some luck filling job vacancies.
We have just seen an updated monthly tally looking at the number of jobs going unfilled across the country coupled with the latest average weekly pay package.
What we’re seeing in Saskatchewan is somewhat unique….job vacancies which hit a record at the end of the second quarter are now being filled. And average wages are rising, suggesting there may be a correlation….employers are offering more money and prospective workers are responding. In fact, Saskatchewan’s average weekly pay has now surpassed Quebec’s rate putting us #4 spot in the country.
It is working so well, at 3.9% Saskatchewan had the lowest percentage of empty jobs in the country in October.
And the story of which positions are going unfilled nationally is pretty consistent. Compared to pre-pandemic levels, the number of unfilled Licensed Practical Nurse positions has risen by 180%. For those in the hospitality sector – accommodation and food service – the vacancy rate is 170% higher than it was two years ago. Construction labor and cooks rank third and fourth in terms of unfilled vacancies.
