STRONG INCREASE IN FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT SPARKS MAJOR JOB GROWTH

Saskatchewan's growing economy has generated the province's largest year-over-year employment jump in 14 months.

There were 535,200 people working in Saskatchewan in August 2010 - 13,800 more than the same month last year. Of that increase, 9,300, or 67 per cent were in full-time jobs.

At 4.8 per cent, Saskatchewan's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for August is once again the lowest in Canada. The national rate for the same month is 8.1 per cent.

"Saskatchewan people are seeing the benefits of our province's economic strength," Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration Minister Rob Norris said. "With continued employment growth, higher earnings and even more opportunities on the horizon, Saskatchewan is a great place to be for workers and job seekers."

Among major Canadian cities, Regina and Saskatoon continue to fare well, with the lowest (4.8 per cent) and fourth-lowest (5.7 per cent) unemployment rates in Canada. Regina saw a strong year-over-year employment increase of 6,000.

Norris also noted the strong contribution to employment growth made by Saskatchewan's private sector, which accounted for 8,900 new jobs.

"August was also a strong month for our SaskJobs.ca website, where job postings jumped by 25 per cent year over year," Norris said. "Right now, more than 7,200 opportunities are available in every corner of the province."

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For more information, contact:

Christopher Jones-Bonk
Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration
Regina
Phone: 306-798-3106
Email: chris.jones-bonk@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-531-4904