B.C. projected to have over 1M job openings in next decade: Gov’t
Posted February 8, 2023 1:42 pm.
Last Updated February 8, 2023 1:43 pm.
The B.C. government is predicting a “bright future” for jobs in the province, as the latest Labour Market Outlook has been released.
The outlook, released Wednesday by the provincial ministries for postsecondary education and economic development, projected one million openings over the next 10 years. Of those, 37 per cent are due to a growing economy, while the other 63 per cent will be due to a retiring workforce.
According to the report, employment in B.C. is expected to reach 3.1 million by 2032, which would be up from 2.7 million last year. That is equal to an employment growth rate of 1.3 per cent a year during the forecast period.
Healthcare and technology are expected to be the sectors that see the most growth, the forecast says.
B.C. Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills Selina Robinson says the openings are expected despite global economic challenges.
“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,” she said in a statement.
The Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast that informs the government, post-secondary institutions and businesses about the future of the province’s workforce.
“It gives British Columbians up-to-date information so they can make informed decisions about their future career paths,” the province says.
The forecast says almost 80 per cent of the expected job openings will require some form of post-secondary education or training. Additionally, people 29 years old or younger are expected to fill 47 per cent of the future openings.
