According to Statistics Canada*, Alberta had the highest proportion – 18.6 per cent – of youth within its working age population and the lowest proportion of older workers in Canada. At that same time, 56.6 per cent of Alberta’s working age population was under age 45, and 60 per cent of the labour force held a university degree, post-secondary diploma or certificate. With low unemployment and high productivity as well, Alberta’s workforce is among the best in the world. (* 2006 statistics)
The variety of industry in the Alberta Energy Corridor is reflected by the workforce mix; 75 per cent of the labour pool has a degree, diploma or certificate compared to the overall provincial level of 60 percent, and 19 per cent hold apprenticeship or trades certificates and/or diplomas.
Economic Indicators: North Central Region
| Employment by Industry | 2006 | 2001 |
| Total Employment — All Industries | 20.9 | 20.0 |
| Goods-Producing Sector | 8.6 | 8.7 |
| Agriculture & Forestry | 3.6 | 4.5 |
| Mining & Oil & Gas | 1.8 | 1.1 |
| Utilities | 0.2 | 0.1 |
| Construction | 1.7 | 1.6 |
| Manufacturing | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| Services-Producing Sector | 12.3 | 11.3 |
| Wholesale Trade | 0.7 | 0.7 |
| Retail Trade | 1.9 | 2.0 |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.1 | 1.0 |
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & leasing | 0.6 | 0.5 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | 0.5 | 0.4 |
| Business, Building & other Support Services | 0.6 | 0.5 |
| Educational Services | 1.8 | 1.6 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | 1.8 | 1.6 |
| Information, Culture & Recreation | 0.4 | 0.3 |
| Accommodation & Food Services | 0.9 | 1.1 |
| Other Services | 1.2 | 0.9 |
| Public Administration | 0.8 | 0.7 |
