How is the forecast generated?

• The Outlook uses the most current data from various sources, including Statistics Canada, the B.C. Ministry of Finance, BC Stats, and businesses, educators and unions throughout the province.
• The Outlook produces a list of high-demand occupations, based on several criteria, that balances projected employment opportunities with current and projected trends in excess supply and unemployment.
• The forecast assumes that people will continue to become educated, poverty will decrease, immigration will continue, and other factors will remain stable.

Which industries will have the most job openings?

• There will be job openings in B.C. across various industries.
• The 10 industry groups with the most job openings in the next decade, ranked in descending order, are:

1. Health care and social assistance
2. Professional, scientific and technical services
3. Retail trade
4. Accommodation and food services
5. Transportation and warehousing
6. Educational services
7. Construction
8. Information, culture and recreation
9. Finance, insurance and real estate
10. Manufacturing

Which regions of B.C. will have the most jobs?

• The Outlook projects thousands of job openings in every region.
• The regions with the largest number of job openings are Mainland/Southwest (66%) and Vancouver Island/Coast (15%).
• Specifically, the job openings are distributed between regions as follows:
  • Vancouver Island/Coast: 133,800 job openings
  • Mainland/Southwest: 608,500 job openings
  • Thompson-Okanagan: 96,100 job openings
  • Kootenay: 24,600 job openings
  • Cariboo: 25,900 job openings
  • Northeast: 16,400 job openings
  • North Coast and Nechako: 11,700 job openings

What occupations will be in high demand?

• There will be job openings in B.C. across all 500 occupations.
• For example, 11% of the job openings over the next decade will be trades occupations, and 9% will be in science and technology.
• The Outlook produces a list of high-demand occupations, broken down by the category of education/training that is required for the position.
• These occupations are considered to be the best job opportunities for British Columbians in the next decade.
• The three occupations with the most job openings in each category are:

Management:

1. Retail and wholesale trade managers
2. Restaurant and food service managers
3. Insurance, real estate and financial brokerage managers

Degree:

1. Financial auditors and accountants
2. Information systems analysts and consultants
3. Computer programmers and interactive media developers

Diploma/certificate/apprenticeship:

1. Administrative officers
2. Administrative assistants
3. Social and community service workers

High school/on-the-job-training:

1. Retail salespersons
2. General office support workers
3. Receptionists

Health:

1. Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
2. Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
3. General practitioners and family physicians