The Drumheller area is once again leading the province in employment according to the most recent statistics from the Government of Canada.
    In the month of July, the Drumheller-Camrose economic region, which extends east to the Saskatchewan border, had an unemployment rate of 3.7 per cent, the second lowest in Alberta. The lowest was Grande Prairie-Athabasca-Peace River with 3.3 per cent.

The Drumheller-Camrose economic region is booming and has the second lowest unemployment rate in the province as of July at 3.7 per cent. However, such a low rate creates challenges for employers, who are having trouble filling vacancies. Alberta Works suggests employers create a positive work environment to attract and retain staff.

    “The most current unemployment figures, as of  July, are at 3.7 per cent, which is the second lowest in the province, but over the past year, we’ve had the lowest rate most of the time. The province was at (an unemployment rate of) 4.5,” said Rob Lunman, business and industry lead with Alberta Works.
    The low unemployment market has left the area brimming with employment opportunities.
    “There are a lot of opportunities in our area. There’s agriculture, labour positions, oil and gas servicing, and really just jobs of all kinds. Even after the tourist season, there are always positions available. There are jobs across the whole gamut, from entry-level jobs to professional positions, and from unskilled labour to trades. There are opportunities across the board,” said Lunman.
    However, the low rate creates challenges. Most positions cannot be filled, especially when considering the population drain faced by rural areas.
    “Communities are struggling to find people to fill jobs. As businesses and companies grow, I don’t know if the population is necessarily growing along with it,” said Lunman.
    In addition, employers are being hard pressed to fill positions, with some remaining vacant for months. Lunman suggested employers take a look at how they attempt to hire new employees.
    “The market has changed, so you have to sell that position and your business. With such a low unemployment rate, people have so many choices. Many of the people you might want to come work for you, probably already work somewhere else. If you’re going to try to attract people to your business, you have to let them know the benefits,” said Lunman.
    “Another key is to keep the staff you currently have. If you can keep them happy and working for you, then it reduces your need to go out and find new staff. If you try to make a positive work environment, not only will it make your existing staff happy, then it will be easier to find new staff when you need to.”

    For the fourth year running the Community Futures Drumheller Valley Dinosaur Half Marathon brought out  runners, walkers and well wishers for a Sunday morning of camaraderie, fun and accomplishment.

Runners and walkers explode out of the gate for the Dino-Half 5k walk and run.

    It was a year of firsts for the event. It has new routes, using the Badlands Community Facility for home base, and a new record as Justin Kurek of  Calgary crushed the course with a 1:15:47 at a pace of 3:37 minutes per kilometre. The avid runner competes in three or four events a season, and despite some local ties, this was his first time taking on the Dinosaur Half. He commended organizers for the hard work to put on the events.
    “It was so well organized, hats off to the organizers,” he said to The Mail following the race.
    Organizer Colin Kloot was happy with how the event turned out. While the numbers were down, it was like this for most events this year in the province.
    “We had about 500 entries, but in speaking with the Running Room, who do all the online registrations for us, and do it for most of the races in Alberta,  they have advised me that the floods affected everybody,’ said Kloot. “In Calgary, Okotoks and High River, all of these people’s running trails were wiped out, people’s houses have been wiped out, so their priorities have changed.”
    While registration was slow on the pick-up, as the event approached, the numbers seemed to ride a crest. They are hoping numbers will bounce back next year. 
    Feedback  for this year’s event was positive.

Dino-Half Marshall Bridget Unland had some enthusiastic help from Taylor, who is almost two, and Joshua , 4, on the course. Their cheers were much appreciated by runners as they passed through Midland last Sunday.

    ”I always make it a habit to walk around and ask participants of the 10k and half marathon what they thought of the routes and what we can do to change, and everyone was very complimentary,” said Kloot.
    Another success was Pasta Night the evening before. Double D Catering served up a pasta dinner for the community where participants could load up on energy for the impending race. About 80 came out to  fill up and  Kloot sees potential in growing this event. 
    As always, the proceeds from the annual event are dedicated to the Badlands Community Facility and organizers will soon be announcing how much they were able to raise. In the first three years of the event  they have donated $33,000 to the facility.

In the winner’s circle, Dino-half champ is congratulated. Pictured (l-r) are Brad  Delure, Rich Trentham and Nicole McAvany of Calgary, with Moe and Marg Trentham, Justin and Audrey Kurek and Dick Trentham.