In Saskatchewan, the private sector job vacancy rate has increased 0.1 per cent to 2.3 per cent in the third quarter. That represents about 7,900 unfilled jobs. Only Alberta and Prince Edward Island are lower at 2.2 and 1.9 per cent respectively. The highest rate is in Quebec at 4.0 per cent. The national average is 3.2 per cent. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business says the national rate has stabilized but remains at a historic high for the fifth consecutive month. Chief Economist Ted Mallett says, “The smallest firms, those with fewer than five employees, are having the hardest time recruiting workers.”