The Survey
Methodology
In August of 2022, we carried out an online survey. As in previous public surveys, the ACC made use of an online panel of 800 members living in Alberta who have agreed to complete a survey in return for an incentive.
Respondents were screened to ensure they were either currently working or, if not, were either a homemaker/stay at home parent on maternity leave, unemployed and looking for work, or if retired had some interest in re-entering the workforce. That is, only those with some potential to enter the workforce were included in the survey.
How we’ll use our findings
- Broaden and deepen the evidence the ACC and local chambers can bring forward to articulate the perspectives of the province’s business community
- Compare and contrast the viewpoints of the public and business communities
- Make the research available to individual chambers
Key Findings
- Between one-in five and one quarter identify inflation and health care as the most pressing issue for them, replacing concerns about the economy overall as the top issue.
- A majority of the public believe it is not easy to find the kind of work people are qualified for and that the labour market is not as tight as described by employers.
- 2/3 have undertaken skills training and upgrading, either on a continuous basis or multiple times.
- Large majorities of the work force appear satisfied with their current skill set and are confident their skills will be relevant into the near future.
- 1/2 of workers report that the work they do has not changed since they started working.
- Workers most frequently report that the workplace has been the source of upgrading and/or acquisition and this, together with online courses/programs, are the preferred places for future upgrading/acquisition.
- 1/4 of those currently working and over half of those not currently in the labour force report being unemployed/laid off in the last five years.