The city of Calgary is one of the fastest-growing destinations in Canada. Just 50 miles from Toronto, Calgary is in the heart of Alberta, Canada’s highest job attraction. The city is charming in all aspects of its economy. It is among the top-performing economies, not only in Canada but around the world.
Economic history
The history of Calgary’s economy is intertwined in profound twists and turns. Before the oil industry crisis in the late 1980s, the city simply operated on oil. Most of the highest-paying jobs in Calgary were in the oil industry only. However, after the crisis, many things have changed. Thus, new sectors emerged that have redefined the city’s economic growth and job creation.
Among the sectors that emerged from the rubble:
Sports and leisure
Tourism and hospitality
Farming
These industries have reshaped nearly every aspect of Calgary’s economy. They are the leading employer and are also showing promising growth trends, according to Statistics Canada Alberta.
Employment trends in Calgary
The city of Calgary is a small paradise on earth. It has the lowest unemployment rates, not only in Alberta but in Canada as a whole. Recent survey reports indicate that the unemployment rate in the city is 4.9%. This is well below the projected overall national rate of 7.4%. This means that it is much easier to get a profitable job in Calgary than anywhere else in Canada.
Major employers in Calgary
For entry-level job seekers, the following sectors are crucial in Calgary:
Oil and gas industry
The chemical industry
Tourism and hospitality
Oil and gas sector
As mentioned above, this has been the economic strength of the city for decades. However, the sector is not dominant at the moment. In terms of employment opportunities, it is still a relative number in the city. It remains some of the highest-paying occupations in the industry. Some of these include:
Mechanical Engineer
Petrol Engineering
Technical and administrative positions
The chemical industry
If you are in Toronto, you have noticed the strong presence of the chemical industry. This statement is also valid for the City of Calgary. The chemical industry here is a leader in job creation and the employment market. Some of the major companies in this industry include:
Nova Chemicals
Dow Chemicals
Tourism and hospitality sector
This is a major benefactor from the oil crisis of the late 1980s, as the industry has some of the most impressive records of late. For example, last year alone, the city welcomed nearly 3 million tourists. The numbers are expected to rise further this year. This influx of tourists put this economic sector on a successful path. Hotels, monuments and other places in the city account for many new jobs annually.