The region is seeing an increase in jobs for the third straight month.

According to Statistics Canada’s September report, Wood Buffalo – Cold Lake added around 1,200 positions.

This comes after adding 1,000 spots in August and 1,300 spots in July.

At one point during the COVID-19 pandemic, the region lost around 6,800 jobs but has since recouped over 3,000 positions in the past three months.

The health care and social assistance sector added around 600 jobs month-over-month, the most among all the sectors.

The forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil, and gas sector lost around 300 spots in September.

Meanwhile, the local unemployment rate continues to drop – currently sitting at 11.4 per cent.

The provincial and federal unemployment rates also both dropped, currently at 11.7 per cent and 9 per cent respectively.