Labour Force Activity and Outlook

In 2010, more than 2.44 million people were in British Columbia’s labour force and the average monthly unemployment rate was recorded at 7.6 per cent.

Due to expected job openings, the province’s unemployment rate is expected to drop to around 7.0 per cent by 2014 and then steadily decline to 4.6 per cent in 2019. (B.C. Labour Market Scenario Model 2009-2019).

Immigrants, temporary foreign workers and Canadians who move to B.C. are all important components of the labour force and are expected to continue to play a significant role in meeting labour market demands across the province.

Projected Employment Demand Growth and Labour Force Growth Across B.C. Regions

Among regions, the greatest number of job openings is expected for the Mainland/Southwest (680,000 job openings), followed by Vancouver Island/Coast (208,000) and Thompson-Okanagan (116,000). Nearly 90 per cent of total job openings will be in these three most populated regions of the province. Across B.C., the largest number of job openings are expected in:

• Sales and Service Occupations
• Trades, Transport and Equipment Operators and Related Occupations
• Business, Finance and Administration Occupations

These three largest occupation groups account for over 56 per cent of total projected job openings in British Columbia.

At the provincial level, the three occupation groups expected to have the highest growth rates are:

• Health Occupations
• Trades, Transport and Equipment Operators and Related Occupations Natural and Applied Sciences and Related Occupations

Expected Growth in Labour Demand by Occupation in B.C. 2009-2019

Over three-quarters (77 per cent) of job openings over the ten-year period from 2009 to 2019 are expected to require some form of post-secondary education, included a college or trade certificate.

Education Requirements for Total Projected Job Openings in B.C. 2009-2019

For more information, check out B.C. Labour Market Outlook, 2009-2019