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Specialists in Human Resources  (NOC 1121)
Edmonton Region
Description |  Titles |  Duties |   Related Occupations

Specialists in human resources develop, implement and evaluate human resources and labour relations policies, programs and procedures and advise managers and employers on personnel matters. Specialists in human resources are employed throughout the private and public sectors, or they may be self-employed.

business agent, labour organization, classification officer – human resources, classification specialist, compensation research analyst, conciliator, consultant, human resources, employee relations officer, employment equity officer, human resources research officer, job analyst, labour relations officer, mediator, union representative, wage analyst.

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Specialists in human resources perform some or all of the following duties:
  • Plan, develop, implement and evaluate personnel and labour relations strategies including policies, programs and procedures to address an organization's human resource requirements
  • Advise managers and employees on the interpretation of personnel policies, compensation and benefit programs and collective agreements
  • Negotiate collective agreements on behalf of employers or workers, mediate labour disputes and grievances and provide advice on employee and labour relations
  • Research and prepare occupational classifications, job descriptions, salary scales and competency appraisal measures and systems
  • Plan and administer staffing, total compensation, training and career development, employee assistance, employment equity and affirmative action programs
  • Manage programs and maintain human resources information and related records systems
  • Hire and oversee training of staff
  • Co-ordinate employee performance and appraisal programs
  • Research employee benefit and health and safety practices and recommend changes or modifications to existing policies.
Included Cities in Region | Service Canada Offices

Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, Leduc, Spruce Grove, St. Albert, Wetaskiwin, Beaumont, Bon Accord, Calmar, Devon, Drayton Valley, Duffield, Gibbons, Millet, Morinville, Redwater, Stony Plain, Cardiff, Rosenthal Estates

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View a list of Service Canada offices in this area.

Outlook & Prospects for Specialists in Human Resources in Edmonton Region

The future forecast and current conditions for an occupation can vary based on location or due to changes in the economy, technology, or demand for a product or service.

National Outlook – 10-Year Projection (2011-2020)

This section provides labour demand and labour supply projections for this occupation over the 2011-2020 period.

Note: The tables, graphs and middle paragraph shown under this section display updated 2011-2020 projection results. The remaining narrative text (2009-2018 projections) will be updated shortly. We apologize for the inconvenience.

The data in the following table are derived from HRSDC’s Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS). COPS uses a variety of models to produce a detailed 10-year labour market projection per broad skill level and per occupation at the national level, which focuses on the trends of labour supply and labour demand over the next ten years.

This occupation (Specialists in Human Resources) is part of a larger occupational group called Human Resources and Business Service Professionals (NOC 112).

Table on the demographic profile for your chosen occupation at the national level.
Occupations in this group Specialists in Human Resources (1121) 
Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management (1122) 
Employment (non-student) in 2010 187,505
Median Age of workers in 2010 45
Average Retirement Age in 2010 61

Occupation Projection for Canada

Over the 2008-2010 period, this occupation experienced strong job growth, but despite this, its unemployment rate increased slightly. However, the unemployment rate remained much lower than the average unemployment rate for all occupations. The average hourly wage, already high, increased at the same rate as the average for all occupations. According to key labour market indicators, the number of job seekers was insufficient to fill the job openings in this occupation.

Over the 2011-2020 period, an occupation will be in excess demand (a shortage of workers) if the projected number of job openings is significantly greater than the projected number of job seekers. An occupation will be in excess supply (a surplus of workers) if the projected number of job openings is smaller than the projected number of job seekers. For Human Resources And Business Service Professionals, over the 2011-2020 period, job openings (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) are expected to total 118,062 and 95,425 job seekers (arising from school leavers, immigration and mobility) are expected to be available to fill the job openings.

Based on projections and considering the recent shortage of workers in this occupation, it is expected that the number of job seekers will continue to be insufficient to fill all job openings over the 2011-2020 period. Job openings in this occupation will result from both expansion demand and retirements. Although expansion demand growth will be higher than for all occupations over the projection period, it will nevertheless be lower than over the 2001-2010 period. The projected strong demand will be the result of the greater need for human resources and management professionals in the context of an aging workforce, recruitment difficulties and strong competition. With regard to labour supply, most job seekers will come from the school system. However, a large number of job seekers (approximately one third) will come from other occupations.

This Chart contains data for Projection of Job Openings vs. Job Seekers for Canada. Information is available in the following tables.

This Chart contains data for Projection of Job Openings vs. Job Seekers for Canada. Information is available in the following tables.
Table of job opening projections for the occupational group containing your chosen occupation.
Category Openings %
Expansion Demand 52,392 44%
Retirements 52,818 45%
Other Replacement Demand 8,289 7%
Emigration 4,562 4%
Projected Job Openings 118,062 100%
Table of job seeker projections for the occupational group containing your chosen occupation.
Category Seekers %
School Leavers 45,408 48%
Immigration 5,894 6%
Other 44,124 46%
Projected Job Seekers 95,425 100%
[ Source: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) ]

In which industry or sector do people in this occupation find jobs in Canada?

This table shows the industry and sectors employing the highest number of people in this occupation.

This table shows the industry sectors employing the highest number of people in this occupation.
Industry / Sector %
Public administration 26.40
Professional, scientific and technical services 14.50
Other services (except public administration) 12.30
Finance and insurance 9.30
Manufacturing 8.40
[ Source: 2006 Census - Statistics Canada | Legal note ]

What percentage of people in this occupation are self-employed?

The graph displays the percentage of people in this occupation who are “self-employed”, according to the 2006 Census, in comparison to the Canadian average across all occupations.

As shown in the graph, according to the 2006 Census, 6% of people in this occupation were self-employed, while the average for all occupations was 12%.

The Labour Force Survey also gives us some information about self-employment. This occupation (Specialists in Human Resources) is part of a larger group called Human Resources and Business Service Professionals (NOC 112). According to the Labour Force Survey (2009), 36% of workers in this group were self-employed, while the average for all occupations was 16%.

[ Source: Labour Force Survey - Statistics Canada | Legal note ]

What proportion of people in this occupation work full-time and part-time?

The graph displays the proportion of people in this occupation who worked full-time and part-time in comparison to the Canadian average across all occupations.

According to the Labour Force Survey (2009), 92% of workers in this occupation worked full-time, compared to the average of 81% for all occupations.

[ Source: Labour Force Survey - Statistics Canada | Legal note ]

What proportion of men and women work in this occupation?

The graph displays the proportion of men and women in this occupation in comparison to the Canadian average across all occupations.

According to the Labour Force Survey (2009), women represented 74% of workers in this occupation, compared to the average of 48% for all occupations.

[ Source: 2006 Census - Statistics Canada / Labour Force Survey - Statistics Canada | Legal note ]

What percentage of people in this occupation are members of a union?

This occupation (Specialists in Human Resources) is part of a larger group called Human Resources and Business Service Professionals (NOC 112). According to the Labour Force Survey (2009), the unionization rate for this group was 26%, while the unionization rate for all occupations was 31%.

[ Source: Labour Force Survey - Statistics Canada | Legal note ]
Please consult the Edmonton Region and Alberta tabs for more useful information related to outlook.