New figures from Statistics Canada show Saskatchewan’s labour force continues to grow, as 9,500 new jobs were added in the province in march, compared to March of 2022.

The 1.7 per cent increase helped to lower Saskatchewan’s unemployment rate to 4.7 per cent last month, down from five per cent last March, as well as the current national unemployment rate of five per cent.

In terms of youth employment last month, compared to March of 2022, the youth population in the province jumped by 3,800, with youth employment up by 600, and the youth labour force up by 1,100 overall.

Overall, off-reserve Indigenous employment, was up 2.8 per cent, while Indigenous youth employment rose 11.3 per cent.

And compared to March of 2022, a 24.9 per cent gain was noted in professional, scientific and technical services, while transportation and warehousing jobs were up 9.7 per cent, and trade jobs rose 2.4 per cent.

As well, last month Saskatchewan boasted record highs in total employment, at 578,500, full-time employment, at 469,600, and in off-reserve Indigenous employment, at 62,000.