LAKELAND – While the unemployment rate in the oil and gas industry does not look as dire as last year, labour remains a big and real concern for companies operating in the Lakeland region.
The oil and gas sector is vital to the economy of the Lakeland, says Serina Lyons, executive director of the Bonnyville and District Chamber of Commerce. Many oil and gas companies in the region are members of the Chamber.
“Making sure that we have skilled labour and skilled workforce is vital . . . to the success of the oil and gas industry in our region,” she says.
The oil and gas sector is reliant on skilled trade workers, in particular, like pipefitters, welders, and heavy equipment operators. Class 1 drivers are also in demand.
“There’s a need for everything from all levels,” she says. “The problem is getting the labour to work the jobs.”
Lyons explains that recruitment and retention of trades workers is still a big concern for oil and gas companies.
To help deal with the issue, the Chamber has helped organize job fairs to highlight trades as a career path. Also, “Bringing in job fairs where kids can really try the trade they’re looking at and gain some experience is really important.”
She adds, “We’ve been working with the [oil and gas] industry and local colleges,” like Portage College, “to do some upskilling and really letting high school students know that there are opportunities for them when they come out of high school.”
Looking at high school students and young adults planning their career path, “It’s almost like we need to encourage the trades as a real, viable career opportunity,” observed Lyons.
Looking ahead
Lyons believes there is a lot of hope in the industry.
She acknowledges there are cycles when it comes to oil and gas, and there are often booms and busts.
“We’re past the bust, and we’re heading into more stability,” she says. “I won’t say we’re heading into a boom,” but with more development in the oil sector, such as the industry delving into carbon capture, the future is looking promising.
And while there may be more jobs coming in the future, Lyons says there is another major problem facing the industry – housing.
“It’s all well and good to have the work come in, but we need people to staff it,” and those people need housing, she says.
Ensuring there is enough accessible housing for the potential influx of workers in the future is equally important. Even at the moment, “There’s not a lot of rentals available right in the area.”
Job seekers
Lyons says that while chambers of commerce, like the one in Bonnyville, act as business support networks and not recruitment agencies, she encourages the public to connect with their local chambers.
Resources and information provided by chambers are beneficial to job seekers, she explains. Chambers work with businesses to bring in job fairs, for example, and help bring in training.
But, “We can only do so much.”
When local chambers are hosting public events, Lyons encourages the public to attend.
“It will help you overcome some challenges, and you will make connections, even if you don’t see the benefits immediately.”
Making those connections is particularly important now that the job landscape has changed, says Lyons.
“People are more particular about the jobs they want to work for, and employers want to make sure that they’re hiring somebody that’s a right fit for their organization,” she says.
Lyons also recommends job seekers upload their resumes at lakelandjobs.ca. The job board is dedicated to work in the Lakeland.
Asked if the Chamber has any upcoming events, Lyons says the Bonnyville and District Oil and Gas Show (BOAGS), which happens every two years, is coming up again in June 2025.