CALGARY

More oil sands layoffs likely in store, say economists

Michael Franklin CTVNewsCalgary.ca Senior Digital Producer

Published Wednesday, September 2, 2015 6:25AM MDT

Economists say that more jobs are expected to be lost in the energy sector over the next few months. Meanwhile, those who are still unemployed are finding it hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

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With oil prices heading even lower, economists in Calgary say that the most recent job cuts won’t be the last we’ll be seeing.

Over the next few months, experts say companies will likely be forced to cut more jobs, putting even more people out of work.

Meanwhile, those workers who are now looking for work are finding it very difficult to get back into the industry than ever before.

“The last job I applied for had 155 applicants that I know of,” said Susan Thompson, an unemployed geophysicist. “I’ve heard about up to 800 resumes for one job, so it’s bring your ‘A Game’ time.”

The ripples of the recession are now hitting other sectors, with home sales down 27 percent over this time in 2014, with economists saying that could just be the beginning.