Unemployment rate drops in city

There is light at the end of the tunnel as the unemployment rate in Medicine Hat drops slightly in August.

According to Statistics Canada the unemployment rate in the Hat dropped from 13 per cent in July to 11.8 per cent in August. The margin of error for Medicine Hat unemployment statistics is higher because the number of people surveyed is smaller. When grouped with Lethbridge the unemployment rate has increased from 6.4 per cent in July to 6.5 per cent in August.

After 16 months without a job, after being laid off in the oil patch, Craig Anhorn started a new job at Bice and Sons in May as a mechanic.

He describes it in one word, “rewarding”.

One of the biggest hurdles to overcome was convincing prospective employers that he wanted a permanent job and would not be returning to the oil industry.

“It comes down to them be truthful that they need to change careers and communicating that to the employers,” said Bob Will, director of marketing and job development with Being Human Services in Medicine Hat.

Many oil patch workers have enjoyed being home and are eager to put behind them the lifestyle of two weeks at work and two weeks at home, said Will. It can be a big adjustment to make including changing your expectations from perhaps having had a six figure income.

Chantelle Comeau says it was “mortifying” in January when she lost her job in health and safety in the oil and gas industry. She was able to get a full-time job in March. To make ends meet in a single income family she also took a part-time job in April.

“To keep the wolves at bay,” she explained with a laugh.

The tough economy has also made it difficult for the unemployed to liquidate assets to reduce monthly expenses while looking for work.

“We’ve seen people frustrated at not being able to sell a house, or a vehicle, to get the prices that they want,” said Will.

Before Comeau entered the oil and gas sector she had extensive experience in the insurance industry. That was one of the reasons she was able to find employment as quickly as she did, said Comeau.

“I went back to what I knew,” she explained.

Her advice to young people in particular is to get “trades under your belt”.

“Have something to fall back on,” said Comeau. “If I didn’t have that I would have had to try to fit in three full-time minimum wage jobs to break even.”

The unemployment rate in Medicine Hat is still a long way from what it was a year ago at 5.4 per cent. We also have the highest unemployment rate in Alberta, second only to Red Deer at 9.6 per cent and Calgary at 9.5 per cent.

Being Human Services sees between 10 and 20 people a week who are looking for help to find a job, said Will.

Comeau has recently been able to secure a job in occupational health and safety.

“It is the golden dream job. I am over the moon,” said Comeau. “Nothing better can happen to me other than I win the lottery.”

Even if you have to lower your expectations and take a job that is not ideal, she has some advice.

“Be grateful for it because if you are not grateful you close the doors to better things,” said Comeau.

Featured in Medicine Hat News: http://medicinehatnews.com/news/local-news/2016/09/10/unemployment-rate-drops-in-city/