Alberta invests $1.2 million in labour market research centre

EDMONTON – The Government of Alberta is putting more than $1.2 million towards a new Alberta Centre for Labour Market Research.

The centre will operate out of the University of Alberta’s College of Social Sciences and Humanities and will be funded by the Alberta government with an annual grant of $399,945 from 2024 to 2026, a release said.

“The Alberta Centre for Labour Market Research is a game-changer for Albertans – empowering students, jobseekers and employers with critical information they need to navigate our dynamic labour market. This investment is not just about supporting research. It’s about shaping the future of our workforce and forging a stronger, more resilient economy for all Albertans,” provincial Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade Matt Jones said in a statement.

The centre will be comprised of 25 labour market researchers across five higher education institutions in Alberta, including Athabasca University, Mount Royal University, the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary and the University of Lethbridge, the release said.

The centre was established on Feb. 12 under the Alberta at Work Labour Market Information Enhancement Initiative, following an open call for proposals. It will be led by Joseph Marchand, a professor of economics at the University of Alberta.