B.C. social enterprises make positive social, cultural and environmental contributions to the province, but until now, there has been limited information about the sector and its labour-market challenges.

The UBC Sauder School of Business Centre for Social Innovation & Impact Investing and its project partners have completed the BC Social Venture Sector Labour Market Study, and the final report is now available on Sauder’s website.

In 2014, the B.C. government provided the UBC Sauder Research Centre and its project partners with approximately $184,000 to conduct this study to gain a better understanding of the social-venture sector and its human-resource landscape.

The report provides a profile of social-venture organizations in B.C. and their current and future labour needs. It also outlines several challenges that social enterprises in B.C. face and recommends actions that would support further development of the sector.

Funded through the Canada-British Columba Labour Market Development Agreement, the Sector Labour Market Partnerships Program helps employers understand and respond to changing labour market demands, and ensures that training and education programs in B.C. are aligned with industry’s labour market needs and priorities.

B.C. is expecting almost one million job openings due to retirements and economic growth by 2024. The government launched the Skills for Jobs Blueprint in 2014 to help British Columbians get the skills they need to be first in line for these job openings.

Each year, the government invests more than $7.5 billion in education and training. Over the next 10 years, to better align its annual investment to meet emerging labour market needs, B.C. plans to redirect $3 billion of its training investment to focus on skills and programs for in-demand jobs.

Quotes:

Michelle Stilwell, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation –

“The social-enterprise sector has been growing over the last few years as more entrepreneurs embrace a business model that ties their success to social or environmental goals. This research will help us understand the challenges and opportunities for social enterprises in B.C. and help the sector plan for the future so that it can continue to expand and thrive.”    

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour –

“The Social Venture Labour Market Study will provide important insight to our government and industry stakeholders, so we can work together to better understand the unique challenges and how to meet workforce demands in our province.”

Dr. James Tansey, UBC Sauder School of Business professor and executive director, UBC Sauder Centre for Social Innovation & Impact Investing –

“It has become increasingly apparent that social ventures are expanding at a rapid pace and playing an important role in solving environmental and social challenges in our province and beyond. But until now we knew little about the full scope of the labour market which makes the sector thrive. This research project provides the crucial information we need to inform strategies to stoke the sector’s continual growth and the benefits it brings to our communities.”

Quick Facts:

• The BC Social Venture Sector Labour Market Study was conducted by the University of British Columbia with project partners including Vancouver Island Social Innovation Zone, Accelerating Social Impact CCC, Omersventures, Vancouver Credit Union and The Next Big Thing.
• Social enterprises use business strategies to create a social or environmental impact. They range from thrift stores to businesses that provide skills training, affordable housing and jobs for people with disabilities. They can also be a for-profit business that focuses on social objectives.
• Like any other business, a social enterprise aims to create revenue. What sets a social enterprise apart is that its revenue is directed to a social or environmental goal.
• Social Enterprise Month is part of the B.C. government’s work to promote social innovation in B.C. and is supported by the BC Partners for Social Impact (BCPSI), a group that includes more than 100 partners from government, business, non-profit organizations and academic and financial institutions.
• Almost one million job openings are expected in B.C. by 2024 due to retirements and economic growth in the province.
• Eight of 10 of these job openings will require some sort of post-secondary education or trades training.

Learn More:

• BC Social Venture Sector Labour Market Study report: http://www.sauder.ubc.ca/Faculty/Research_Centres/Centre_for_Social_Innovation_and_Impact_Investing/Knowledge_Hub/Publications
• UBC Sauder School of Business Centre for Social Innovation & Impact Investing: http://www.sauder.ubc.ca/Faculty/Research_Centres/Centre_for_Social_Innovation_and_Impact_Investing
• Social Enterprise Month in B.C.:  https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016SDSI0017-000679
• Sector Labour Market Partnerships Program: https://www.workbc.ca/Employer-Resources/Funding-and-Programs/Sector-Labour-Market-Partnerships.aspx
• BC 2024 Labour Market Outlook: https://www.workbc.ca/labour-market-information/b-c-s-economy/reports.aspx
• B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: https://www.workbc.ca/training-education/b-c-s-skills-for-jobsblueprint.aspx
• BC training and education programs: https://www.workbc.ca/Training-Education.aspx
• Industry Training Authority: www.itabc.ca