Almost one-third of construction jobs in Saskatchewan disappeared in the last five years.
Construction employment declined from 53,700 in December 2015 to 43,400 last December, according to the Saskatchewan Bureau of Statistics.
Construction was the hardest hit job category, losing most of the jobs before the province imposed a six per cent sales tax on construction in 2017.
Second largest loss was forestry, fishing and mining which shed 5,700 jobs for 21,200 over the period.
Transportation and warehousing lost 4,000 jobs for 26,000 while trade lost 3,100 jobs to employ 84,200.
The job losses took place while Saskatchewan jobs increased 2.25 per cent to 477,700.
The largest job increase was the public sector, adding 15,900 jobs while the private sector gained 2,200 jobs.
Self-employed persons fell by 3,700 to 102,200.
Education, with 7,700 new jobs had the largest gain, up 17.8 per cent to 50,800.
Tied for second largest gain were the ‘other services’ category adding 5,900 jobs for 28,500 and public administration, also gaining 5,900 jobs for 32,500.
Manufacturing gained 3,600 jobs for 31,600.
One in ten accommodation and food services jobs was newly created bringing employment up by 4,000 to 42,000.
Information culture and recreation gained 2,800 jobs to 22,600.
Health care and social services gained 2,000 jobs for 80,100.
In agriculture, 1,600 jobs were lost for 39,000 while utilities shed 900 jobs for 5,500.
Finance, insurance and real estate lost 600 jobs for 30,200.
Five hundred jobs were gained in professional, scientific and technical services for 26,800.
Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
