Companies operating in Canada's oil and gas sectors are experiencing a skills shortage, prompted by recent growth.

The Vancouver Sun reports that renewed confidence and rising activity in the industries has left firms struggling to find more workers.

Commenting on the situation, Cheryl Knight, executive director and chief executive officer of the Petroleum Human Resources Council of Canada explained how growth had prompted a need for employees.

"Fairly healthy oil prices are really instilling large capital projects in the oilsands, so all of the oilsands employers are hiring (and) staffing up for new developments," she said.

Ms Knight added that the biggest part of the workforce is tied up in drilling and well-servicing firms.

While mining engineers are still sought-after for traditional projects, thermal and drilling specialists are also increasingly required.

Earlier in the month, figures from Statistics Canada's August 2011 Labour Force Survey found that the unemployment rate rose slightly in the country, hitting 7.3 per cent.

Posted by Fiona Summers