New figures show the best September on record for the number of people working in Saskatchewan.

Statistics Canada figures show that 499,100 people were employed in the province last month (seasonally unadjusted figure). That’s an increase of 18,900 jobs over the figure for September 2005 and tops by 16,300 the old record for September set two years ago.

The September figures also represented the sixth straight month of record job numbers for Saskatchewan.

“We have one of the hottest economies in the nation, and Saskatchewan workers are benefiting from our momentum,” Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline said. “Working with business and communities, we have established a climate for solid business growth, a climate that is making life better for today’s families and building a future for our young people.”

Full-time jobs in Saskatchewan increased 23,400 over September of last year. Youth employment was up 7,700 over last September.

Jobs were up last month in agriculture, construction, services, the oil, gas and mining industries, trade and public administration. Sectors experiencing decreases over last September were manufacturing, transportation, and finance, insurance and real estate.

Cline said other economic indicators are also tracking well for the province. Manufacturing shipments, natural gas and oil production, urban housing starts, international exports, retail sales, building permit values and average weekly earnings are all up.

According to Manpower Temporary Services, 100 per cent of Regina employers and 97 per cent of Saskatoon employers surveyed are expecting their staffing levels to increase or stay the same over the next quarter.

Saskatchewan had the second lowest unemployment rate in Canada in September at 3.9 per cent (seasonally unadjusted), down 1.6 percentage points from September 2005 and well below the national rate of 5.9 per cent.