Is the Alberta job market really that hot?

September 16, 2006 5:31 AM

What's the job market for IT/audiovisual really like in Alberta?

As you might've guessed from my posting history, I'm a recent college grad floundering around in the employment waters trying to find someplace that'll pay me to be skilled in the care and feeding of computers and/or audiovisual equipment. I have family up in Calgary who've been telling me that everything in the world is open up there, job-wise. I know the oil boom is fueling a lot of economic growth, but I'd like to start gathering more information on the conditions in the job market..

What's the entry-level IT and/or AV employment market really like up there now? I'd like to hear from people actually working in the area. I'm not picky about what part of Alberta, etc, just looking for general impressions. As a talented but not yet proven grad, do I have a hope? Where should I look? Is the job market REALLY as hot as I'm told it is?

For the record, I have dual US/Canadian citizenship, so legal approval to work isn't an issue.

posted by Alterscape to work & money (3 comments total)

My aunt lives in Edmonton. The local skate shop pays $14 an hour for skate sharpeners. The Tim Horton's doughnut shop pays $12. A quick search of Monster.ca shows a pizza place is offering up to $12.50 an hour for a counterperson. This is because it's so hard to attract entry-level workers.

Have you tried looking on Monster.ca or other Canadian job sites, like the GlobeandMail.com?
posted by acoutu at 7:58 AM on September 16, 2006

Everyone is looking for employees, all the company bill boards are enouraging people to apply. Even company vehicles are plastered with help wanted graphics. I don't know about entry level IT but we're have a bit of a problem with retention of more senior personel.

The real problem with moving to Calgary is finding a place to live. Even if you can find a place the housing bubble coupled with low vacancy rates (<1%) mean rents have sky rocketed. And forget about buying a house on an entry level wage.
posted by Mitheral at 7:59 AM on September 16, 2006

Of course, you can compare that to Vancouver where two people earning a combined $180k a year can't afford a house, and where someone earning $70k a year cannot afford a 1BR condo in the downtown area.
posted by acoutu at 8:47 AM on September 16, 2006