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Wed, June 14, 2006
Houston offers help
UPDATED: 2006-06-14 02:43:05 MST

Calgary told Texans can play part in labour shortage remedy

By IAN WILSON, BUSINESS EDITOR

Houston, we have a labour problem -- and the mayor of the Texas city says he can help.

During a speech at the Global Petroleum Show yesterday, Houston Mayor Bill White said Alberta should look to his city to cope with severe labour shortages.

According to Alberta Human Resources and Employment, 400,000 jobs will be created across the province during the next decade, but there are only about 300,000 new workers expected to enter the workforce.

Coincidentally, White said about 100,000 people living in Houston were left homeless by hurricane Katrina and many of them are looking for work.

"There is a labour pool in Houston," said White.

"I'm not saying they're all model employees ... but I tell you what, there are a lot of people just looking to get back on their feet again."

White said surveys of the new Houston residents show about 70% of those polled said they were willing to undergo job training in an effort to find work.

Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Calgary and Houston inked an economic and cultural co-operation deal. The bilateral agreement, which was mainly a symbolic gesture, will promote business and cultural growth between the two cities.

While the partnerships forged between the two cities have historically centred around the oilpatch, the aerospace industry -- along with engineering, life sciences, arts and culture -- are also expected to benefit from the deal.
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