More than one million job openings are expected in British Columbia over the next decade, according to the province’s 2024 Labour Market Outlook (LMO).
The latest report estimates 1.12 million job openings by 2034, a projection that includes 449,000 new positions created by economic growth and 671,000 jobs resulting from retirements. The province’s total employment is expected to reach 3.3 million, up from 2.8 million today, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4%.
The LMO, released annually, provides a long-term forecast of job market trends to help employers, workers, and post-secondary students make informed decisions about hiring, careers, and skills training. The 2024 edition is based on data collected until April 2024, before federal immigration target adjustments and potential U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods were introduced. These factors could influence labour supply and demand in the coming years.
“Labour market forecasts evolve as economic conditions change, and we are already working on the 2025 edition to account for new developments,” the province said in a statement.
The report highlights five industries expected to generate nearly half of all job openings: health care and social assistance (178,100), professional, scientific, and technical services (150,300), retail trade (123,700), construction (99,600), and education (79,800). It also identifies 23 new high-opportunity occupations, including mechanical engineers, land surveyors, and pharmacy technicians.
Young workers entering the labour force for the first time are expected to fill 47% of job openings. The LMO also forecasts 105,300 jobs in the skilled trades, reinforcing the province’s focus on expanding training and apprenticeship programs.
As economic uncertainties persist, including trade disputes and shifts in immigration policy, the province said it remains committed to making education and training more accessible and ensuring key sectors have a skilled workforce.
