Labour markets are often best understood at a local or regional level where various contributing factors are well understood, sources of labour supply can be characterized, and detailed knowledge of individual facilities exist. The purpose of this regional report is to provide information on the dairy processing industry in the greater Edmonton, Alberta area so that readers have detailed information and a better understanding of the local dairy processing industry. The profile outlines the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the region, the regional labour force, the regional dairy processing industry, and an outlook for the specific dairy processing workforce in the Edmonton region. This regional profile is part of a series of regional reports for the Canadian dairy processing industry, which is a component of a larger labour market information study of dairy processing in Canada.
The region accounts for approximately 25% of dairy processing facilities in Alberta, with an equal emphasis on cheese and butter production, as well as ice cream and frozen dessert production.
Dairy processing employment in the region is estimated at approximately 402 in 2021.
Recruitment and retention challenges within this time period are expected to increase as a result of increased labour market tightness.
