Labour Supply and Demand

in Northwest BCAlex Pietralla

Executive DirectorKTIDS Northwest

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Occupational Outlook – cross-sectoral

North West B.C.Labour force Characteristics

Immigrant Numbers for North Coast Region

Challenges and Key Messages

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2012 -2020• Conservative Forecast: + 6,000• Optimistic Forecast: + 13,000

Sectors• Mining

• LNG ( transport & processing )• Clean Energy Infrastructure• Marine / Port Infrastructure

Challenges• 34 key occupations identified

• Skills mismatch with local labour pool

• Training capacity gaps• Below average basic literacy

skills

LMP focussing on:• Communications – Job Search

Website• Cooperate & Collaborate

• Training Access for Youth / First Nations

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Key Characteristics:• High demand in construction related jobs with projects competing for labour• Production jobs with significant new skill demands • Local labour pool needs re-skilling, up-skilling and some above average life skill and

literacy training• ‘Skill drain’ due to long economic decline needs to be reversed – address migrant

workforce• Overall labour pool even if all training goes as planned not sufficient to meet

demand• Shortages in (retail / accommodation / food services ) due to competing, high-paid

occupations • New projects bring career opportunities to Youth and First Nations• Supply-chain and front-loading services already see significant job growth / demand

(e.g. Environmental Consultants and Engineers)

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Immigrant Characteristics

• Decline paralleling economic downturn• Top 2 languages or 49% : first language English & Portuguese • Only 3.5% do not speak English or French• Unemployment level slightly better than average• Education levels all above average for Northcoast with 91.5% receiving qualification levels within Canada

Source: Welcome BC, Immigrant Stats North Coast, 2006 ( latest available numbers)

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Challenges & Key Messages- Overall demand above supply – need for immigrant migration from within B.C.- Planning and data numbers show significant differences between local/regional

research and current Census/ BC Stats data- Baby boomer retiring within next 10 years will increase demand even further- Overhaul credential recognition programs – significant missed GDP contribution- Incentive / support with relocation cost- Immigrant retention (family values and welcoming community/language/FN and non-

FN relationship)- Local champions / organizations needed for cultural awareness & integration (e.g.

Skeena Diversity)- Public places / Centres of Dialogue

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Thank You