Wednesday February 8, 2023 | SAANICH, BC [Updated Feb 9, 2023 ~ 11:45 am]]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
The latest B.C. Labour Market Outlook (2022) 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.
The projection of one million job openings over the next 10 years was also announced a year ago, including that nearly 80% of future jobs (789,000) will require some form of post-secondary education. The remaining 22% will be available for those with high school education or less.
Workers with diplomas and certificates excluding apprenticeships will fill 29% of openings, and those with an apprenticeship certificate will account for 12%. Of the total job openings, 37% will be filled by people with a bachelor’s, graduate or first professional degree.
“British Columbians can expect a wide choice of well-paying, family-supporting job opportunities and possible career paths over the next 10 years,” it was stated by government today.
A future where “no one gets left behind” is how Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills Minister Selina Robinson describes the BC Government’s approach to building its labour force.
“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 year for the forecast period. Key growth areas will be in the technology and health care sectors.”
Robinson said that job prospects in the “clean economy, health care, technology and skilled trades are indeed strong”.
Speaking at Camosun College:
Today’s job profile announcement was made in person this morning at the Interurban campus of Camosun College, with the emphasis on post-secondary training.
Covering both aspects of today’s announcement, the podium was shared by Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills Minister Selina Robinson and Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation Minister Brenda Bailey.
Introducing both speakers was Andrew Mercier, Minister of State for Workforce Development. A student in the Camosun food worker program also addressed the media.
The Camosun advantage:
Camosun College President Dr Lane Trotter was in attendance for the government announcement. He said afterward in chatting with Island Social Trends that Camosun aims to build “a signature learning experience” which on campus they call “the Camosun advantage”.
The overall goal is to provide education and training on campus, together with some form of work experience before they leave the college, and every student to have some kind of ‘Capstone’ project that ties in with a research or innovation opportunity. “If we do that we will have the best educated and trained graduates in Canada,” said Trotter.
Trends in labour market:
Natural population replacement will be net zero as of 2030 (i.e. births & deaths will balance out), it was revealed by the BC Government today. This requires more in-migration to BC in order to maintain the workforce.
Jobs for young adults and also older workers who might be enticed to stay longer in the workforce will help maintain the current workforce contingent. Both of those age cohorts will need or want more post-secondary training in order to participate as best they can in the modern workforce. More details to come, said Minister Robinson today.
Relying on immigration:
Today’s Economic Outlook shows that 38% of new jobs (387,000 workers) will need to be filled by immigrants (supported by higher federal immigration targets) and also 8% of jobs (78,000 workers) through cross-migration from other provinces. That’s because only 47% of jobs (474,000 workers) are being filled by young adults (up to age 29) entering or continuing in the workforce.
A “supply gap” of 8% is shown (81,500 workers). In part this is due to older workers who are said to be retiring, but some are also continuing to work past age 65 and may require more training if they intend to remain longer.
Future Ready plan:
“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.”
Today Minister Robinson told media that the Future Ready plan will have more details soon regarding how both employees and employers will be engaged with new opportunities and perhaps some government expectations.
Labour Market Outlook:
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.
StrongerBC:
“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 BC 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 year for the forecast period. Key growth areas will be in the technology and health care sectors.
Trades in high demand:
“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% are due to a growing economy while 63% of the openings will be the result of retiring workers.
Jobs since 2017:
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 approximately 2,000 seats in nursing programs at public post-secondary institutions;
- 1,577 new early childhood educator seats (ECE), adding to approximately 1,800 seats in ECE programs at public post-secondary institutions;
- 2,900 tech-related spaces, set to produce approximately 1,000 additional tech graduates each year by 2023; and
- 27,000 apprenticeship and foundation training seats this year at public and non-public institutions.
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.
===== GOVERNMENT LINKS:
- 2022 edition of the B.C. Labour Market Outlook, the online dashboard and other links, visit: http://workbc.ca/labourmarketoutlook
- Career transition tool: https://www.workbc.ca/careertransitiontool/
- Career search tool: https://www.workbc.ca/careersearchtool/
- For career education resources for teachers and counsellors, visit: https://careereducation.workbc.ca/
- To access forecast data for all 500 occupations, industries and regions, visit: https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/labour-market-outlook
- For a broader look at employment, hiring and training opportunities, visit: https://www.workbc.ca/
- To learn more about the StrongerBC Economic Plan, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/plan