Employers have a critical role in training their staff to adapt
The latest Labour Market Outlook (LMO) from British Columbia is expecting over one million job openings over the next decade, where the majority will be for the replacement of retiring employees.
The LMO predicted a total of 1,004,000 job openings through 2031, where 63% are openings for people who will replace who are leaving the workforce and the remaining 37% for the new jobs created by economic growth.
According to the LMO, the following industries will have the most job openings over the next decade, from most to least:
- health care and social assistance
- professional, scientific, and technical services
- retail trade
- construction
- accommodation and food services
- transportation and warehousing
- educational services
- information, culture, and recreation
- finance, insurance, and real estate
- manufacturing
However, the forecast also showed that nearly 80% of the future job openings will require post-secondary education or training.
Advanced Education and Skills Training Minister Anne Kang said the government is already making moves to expand affordable post-secondary and skills training opportunities so British Columbians can benefit from the massive number of openings.
"With more than one million forecasted jobs, we're laying the foundation for future prosperity and we will not leave anyone behind. Diversity will be our strength as we continue to build an innovative, sustainable and inclusive economy with good, secure jobs for people in B.C.," she said in a statement.
Jobs, Economic Recovery, and Innovation Minister Ravi Haklon added that by investing in people, the government will build a "stronger, more inclusive workforce" to prepare British Columbians on the global stage.
Read more: BC's employee sick leave: How many days are actually paid?
How will this benefit employers?
According to the government, the latest LMO is a 10-year forecast that will also provide guidance to the government and businesses in allocating support to the future workforce.
A new interactive career transition tool was made available at WorkBC.ca where "employers can be guided in their business planning" ahead of the expected job opening surge.
To assist the government in grooming the workforce, the province also has an Employer Training Grant Programme (ETG) that "supports skills training to address provincial labour market needs."
The ETG will encourage the involvement of employers in training their staff, which will be given access to the skills training needed to adapt to the changing requirements of jobs and the labour market.
"Employers need to play a critical role in providing opportunities for people to do this," the government said in its guidelines on the ETG.
According to the government, jobs will continue to change and evolve due to innovation and introduction of automation in the workplace. Due to this, those in the labour force will need to adapt to the shifting job requirements and learn new skills.
