WorkBC has published the 2022 BC Labour Market Outlook, which provides a 10-year forecast of the flow of supply and demand for labour in the province, covering the period 2022 to 2032. The report forecasts job openings across 64 industries and 500 occupations. It helps governments, organizations, post-secondary institutions and businesses direct resources to support the future workforce. It also gives British Columbians up-to-date information so they can make informed decisions about their future career paths.
Provincial highlights from the report include:
- BC is expected to have 1,017,000 job openings between 2022 and 2032.
- Nearly 80% of these job openings typically require some form of post-secondary education or training.
- 636,000 workers will leave the workforce over the coming decade and only 474,000 young people will enter the workforce to replace them.
- New residents will fill most of the remaining jobs, but BC will still need over 82,000 additional workers to meet the demand.
British Columbians can expect a wide choice of well-paying, family-supporting job opportunities and possible career paths over the next 10 years. Key growth areas for the province will be in the technology and health care sectors.
The report also provides a forecast for the Vancouver Island and Coast region. In the coming 10 years, the region is expected to have 176,700 job openings, of which 62% will replace retiring workers. Employment demand is projected to increase by an annual average of 1.5%, a bit faster than the provincial average of 1.3%. Over the 10 years of the forecast, the region’s fastest growing sectors are expected to be:
- Computer systems design and related services;
- Support activities for mining and oil and gas extraction;
- Primary metal manufacturing;
- Travel arrangement services;
- Nursing and residential care facilities;
- Management, scientific and technical consulting services; and
- Personal, non-automotive repair and non-profit services.
To view the 2022 edition of the BC Labour Market Outlook, the online dashboard and other resources, visit: http://workbc.ca/labourmarketoutlook.
