MHC labour market survey to provide insights for Southeast Alberta
Medicine Hat College (MHC) is conducting a labour market study to provide key insight into the skills needed to fill positions in the current and changing labour market.According to a 2019 study by Invest Southeast Alberta, employers in this region have noted a gap between the skills they need from their workforce, and the skills that our region’s workforce currently possess. The labour market study seeks to identify which are skills needed for growing occupations in our region, and to quantify their demand.
Jason Openo, dean of the school of health and community services, says the study provides an opportunity to understand the needs of the region and to provide guidance into how we might help guide education and training.
“When you are competing for business, you have to have infrastructure, quality of life, and land. Medicine Hat has all these. But we also need a critical mass of trained and trainable workers. Companies have said this makes all the difference.”
To assist with identifying the skills required for employment, MHC and Academica Group, a national research firm specializing in higher education, have launched a survey to be completed by those employed in the Southeast Alberta region. The ten-minute survey asks participants about their current employment and the skills needed to stay in or advance their careers.
“We’ve talked to individuals in the process of upskilling. We’ve talked to employment and workforce development specialists. Now we need to talk to employees about the technical skills they believe they need to help themselves and their organizations remain competitive in a technologically sophisticated work environment,” says Openo.
The survey will remain open until Oct. 12 and all participants will be entered to win one of five $500 Amazon gift cards. To complete the survey, please visit: https://bit.ly/3E1Kmig