About 700 people attended Quint Development Corporation's last community job fair in Saskatoon. The event is increasingly well-attended.

The types of jobs they're securing, though, could be changing.

"The challenge is really in finding that full-time, meaningful position in the field you want to work in." said Kayla Brien, who does employer relations for Quint.

"A lot of the positions available are part-time or contract and there's not a lot of security in that so you do have to work two or three positions. We're also seeing an increase in the gig economy."

Kayla Brien works for Quint in employer relations. Despite all the jobs posted to online employment-search sites, it's still hard for people in Saskatchewan to obtain full-time work. (Bridget Yard/CBC)

Brien's comments echo Statistics Canada's latest job numbers.

Although the Saskatchewan government is hailing the data as evidence of strong job growth in the province, the federal agency says it's more of a mixed picture.

"The increase in job numbers is really good news for the Saskatchewan economy," Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said in a news release.

Harrison pointed to other key economic indicators as well, including manufacturing sales and urban housing starts suggesting that when you add them all up they confirm that "our economy is positioned for growth in 2018."

Our economy is positioned for growth. - Jeremy Harrison

The Saskatchewan government notes there were 4,200 more jobs created in the province in March compared to February, the highest percentage increase among the provinces.

But a scan of job numbers from March 2017 to March 2018 shows that there were just 900 jobs added in Saskatchewan, almost all of them part-time.

Statistics Canada reports that "employment in Saskatchewan has been relatively flat since the spring of 2016."

The stagnant unemployment rate, and influx of part-time jobs weigh on job-seekers even after they've found employment.

"It's hard because often people have family so it takes away from the time you want to spend with your family because you need to be out working two or three jobs to support them," said Kayla Brien.

She expects the construction and trades sectors to pick up in the next few months as the weather warms up.

Summer weather brings full-time, if temporary, labour jobs.

The story next door

A quick check on Alberta's job numbers offers additional perspective.

In March, Alberta saw a one-month increase of more than 8,000 new jobs.

Saskatchewan's unemployment rate was 5.8 per cent in March 2018 on a seasonally adjusted basis, StatsCan says. (Statistics Canada)

However, over the past year, that province saw a net increase of more than 40,000 jobs.

Unlike the situation in Saskatchewan, almost all of these jobs are full time. Statistics Canada notes that unemployment in Alberta has been "on a strong downward trend" since 2016.

Saskatchewan's unemployment rate remains unchanged at 5.8 per cent, matching the national average. In Alberta, the unemployment rate is 6.3 per cent.

All data is seasonally adjusted.

'It's precarious'

Kyra Ludman has a passion for teaching, and would like to have a career in Saskatchewan one day, but can only find substitute work for now. (Submitted) Kyra Ludman graduated from teacher's college in 2014 and has yet to find a full-time job in Winnipeg, where she lives.

Ludman has been trying to find a job in Saskatchewan for about six months since deciding to move closer to her family.

"I see less postings for Saskatoon jobs than I've seen in Winnipeg," she said

"It's becoming more and more competitive. It's really a rat race."

Ludman has been substitute teaching, which offers little job-security and no benefits, for four years. She has considered applying for educational assistant jobs, even though she'd make more money as a teacher.

"You have to find a new job everyday and make sure you're filling up your schedule. It's precarious."

Ludman would like to secure a job in her chosen field, but may have to settle for temporary work as a teacher and take another job, joining the ranks of many others in Saskatchewan who can't find full-time work.