Tip Sheets

Labour Market Information on the Internet

Because career decisions are so important, you’ll want to make sure you are well informed when making your choices. That’s where labour market information plays a key role.

Labour market information is any information that might be useful when you are making a career decision. Many newspapers, broadcasters, industry associations, unions, professional associations, post-secondary institutions and government departments publish labour market information on the Internet. In fact, there is so much labour market information on the Internet that it can be a bit overwhelming. The following tips will help you to avoid information overload while gathering current, accurate information that is relevant to your particular situation.

		Start with the reputable sources described below and gradually expand your search by clicking on hotlinks in those websites. That may be all you have to do to gather the information you need.
		When you go to related websites, check to make sure that you are still looking at information that is relevant to your region. Most websites include a short blurb about the sponsoring organization and its objectives.
		Use search engines to expand your search, if necessary. Popular search engines can be found at www.google.ca, www.yahoo.ca, www.netscape.com and www.msn.com Each site has a Help menu with step-by-step instructions on how to use the search engine. Keep in mind that some search engines search only specific types of sites.
		Many sites have a Frequently Asked Questions section. If you need assistance using a search engine or finding information on a website, common questions are often answered in the FAQ section.
		There are many Internet forums that allow people in particular occupations or industries to exchange ideas and information. Forum participants are often open to questions from people who want to know more about their work or industry. They might even be able to refer you to someone in your community who can answer your questions more fully.

Good places to start

The Alberta Learning Information Service website (alis.alberta.ca) has lots of Alberta-specific information and general information such as:

		Information from the Alberta Career Information Hotline, which you can also access directly by dialing 1-800-661-3753 toll-free or 422-4266 in Edmonton.
		More than 500 occupational profiles that describe typical duties, working conditions, salary ranges and advancement opportunities as well as required characteristics and education. You can now search occupational profiles by interest and subject.
		Alberta labour market news and links to other Alberta and Canada labour market information.
		Career and workplace-related resources on-line. You can also view or pick up copies of resources at Alberta Employment and Immigration service centres. Many publications are available free of charge to Alberta, NWT and Nunavut residents.
		Locations of Alberta Employment and Immigration service centres. Another way to find government office locations is to dial 310-0000 toll-free from anywhere in Alberta.

The Alberta Employment and Immigration's Labour Market Information website (http://employment.alberta.ca/lmi) is a useful source of statistics, labour market outlooks and publications, including understanding Alberta's Labour Force: Looking to the Future.

The Alberta-Canada website (www.alberta-canada.com) offers information on the Alberta economy, industries and products and many links to other related information.

The Alberta Library Online website (www.talonline.ca) allows you to search the catalogues of public, post-secondary and special libraries in Alberta. Library catalogues can be searched separately or several can be searched at the same time to find books, videos and other materials located in Alberta’s libraries.

The Canada Career Consortium's Workapedia website (www.workapedia.ca) provides one-stop access to industry sector council resources. Sector councils bring together representatives from business, labour, education and other professional groups to analyze and address sector-wide human resource issues.

The Government of Canada website (www.gc.ca) has links to national sources of labour market information such as Industry Canada and Statistics Canada.

You can find an incredible amount of labour market information on the Internet. If you don’t have Internet access at home, you may be able to use computers that connect to the Internet at a public library or at your nearest Alberta Employment and Immigration service centre.

Other Relevant Tips Labour Market Information: Separating the Wheat from the Chaff For more, visit the TIPS home page at alis.alberta.ca/tips

Additional Reading Labour Market Information for Your Business: A practical guide and Making Sense of Labour Market Information produced by Alberta Employment and Immigration. For copies of these publications:

		download an online copy or order the publication from the Publications website at alis.alberta.ca/careershop
		call the Alberta Career Information Hotline at 1-800-661-3753 toll-free or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton
		visit your local Alberta Employment and Immigration service centre. To find the centre nearest you, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline.

Last Updated: June 15, 2006