Compared to pre-pandemic levels, employment in Alberta’s hospitality sector remains the lowest of any other major industries, according to ATB Financial.
Despite an increase of about 19,200 jobs in February, employment in the accommodation and food services sector barely budged in March, ATB Financial said Monday.
The sector was still shy of 48,600 jobs in March 2021 (31.8 per cent), compared to February 2020, which is before the pandemic and public health restrictions.
The information, cultural, arts, entertainment and recreation sector, which includes everything from movie theatres to dance companies to spectator sports, was still 20,000 jobs short of where it was in February 2020 (24.7 per cent).
Manufacturing jobs were down by 16,500 positions in March 2021 versus February 2020 (12.0 per cent) and primary agriculture employment was off by 9,200 (18.8 per cent).
“The drop in agriculture employment appears to be more a matter of a shortage of skilled workers than reduced agricultural activity during the pandemic.”
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