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The province has released its latest Labour Market Outlook, which forecasts more than a million job openings in the next 10 years.

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Labour Market Outlook predicts bright future

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 10:40 PST, Thu February 9, 2023

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B.C.’s latest Labour Market Outlook forecasts more than one million job openings in the next decade, showing job and career opportunities that people of all ages can use to map out their education, skills training, and career paths.

“Despite the global economic challenges we’re facing, there are significant job opportunities for people over the next decade as we keep building an economy that is inclusive, sustainable, and doesn’t leave any British Columbians behind,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. “Our government is taking action with our Future Ready plan to break down barriers to ensure people have the skills and supports they need for these good-paying careers and employers can access the talent they need to grow.”

The Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast that helps governments, organizations, post-secondary institutions, and businesses direct resources to support the future workforce. It gives British Columbians up-to-date information so they can make informed decisions about their future career paths.

“The StrongerBC Economic Plan is ensuring our province is well positioned to fill these openings so we can help businesses grow as we prepare British Columbians for the jobs of tomorrow,” said Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development, and Innovation. “Our government will always be there to support people and businesses by making investments that develop a skilled workforce that allows people to build a good life in the communities they want to live in.”

British Columbians can expect a wide choice of well-paying, family-supporting job opportunities and possible career paths over the next 10 years. Employment in B.C. is expected to reach 3.1 million by 2032, up from the 2.7 million jobs in 2022. Employment will grow an average of 1.3 per cent per year for the forecast period. Key growth areas will be in the technology and health care sectors.

“We’ve been through a lot together, but this outlook shows us that B.C.’s future is full of opportunity,” said Andrew Mercier, Minister of State for Workforce Development. “There is no shortage of good-paying careers available, especially in the trades. With 83,000 job openings in the next decade, there has never been a better time to get into the skilled trades and we’re working to expand access to the training people need.”

More than one million job openings (1,017,000) are expected between 2022 and 2032. Of these, 37 per cent are due to a growing economy while 63 per cent of the openings will be the result of retiring workers.

Since 2017, the province has steadily expanded access to post-secondary training in several high-opportunity occupations, including the addition of:

• 602 new nursing seats, building on about 2,000 seats in nursing programs at public post-secondary institutions

• 1,577 new early childhood educator seats (ECE), adding to about 1,800 seats in ECE programs at public post-secondary institutions

• 2,900 tech-related spaces, set to produce about 1,000 additional tech graduates each year by 2023

• 27,000 apprenticeship and foundation training seats this year at public and non-public institutions

Between 2022 and 2032, nearly 80 per cent or 789,000 of all job openings will require some level of post-secondary education or training. Thirty-seven per cent of the total job openings will be filled by people with a bachelor’s, graduate, or first professional degree. Workers with diplomas and certificates excluding apprenticeships will fill 29 per cent of openings, and those with an apprenticeship certificate will account for 12 per cent. The other 22 per cent of job openings will be available for those with high school education or less.

People 29 or younger entering the labour force for the first time are expected to fill 47 per cent of future job openings. People new to Canada are expected to fill 38 per cent of the openings, and workers coming from other parts of Canada to fill eight per cent of the jobs.

With a newly redesigned WorkBC.ca, British Columbians can more easily navigate the wealth of information available, providing career, labour market tools, resources, and information about high-opportunity occupations. The improved site connects WorkBC’s training and education opportunities in an easy-to-navigate format.

The province is going to continue to expand investments to support access to post-secondary education, skills training, and career resources as part of StrongerBC’s Future Ready plan. Future Ready is making education and training more accessible, affordable, and relevant to help businesses grow and prepare British Columbians for the jobs of tomorrow.

For the 2022 edition of the B.C. Labour Market Outlook, the online dashboard, and other links, visit workbc.ca/labourmarketoutlook.