120,000 job openings in Thompson-Okanagan over next decade

Photo: The Canadian Press

B.C. is expected to have one million job openings over the next decade, and 120,000 of those are anticipated in the Thompson Okanagan region.

The provincial government released its annual Labour Market Outlook report on Wednesday in an effort to help people map out their education, skills training and career paths.

Leading the way in the Okanagan are retail jobs, of which there are expected to be more than 10,000 over the next decade.

That is followed by hospital (7,360) and service industry jobs (7,110). Other areas with large anticipated growth are in business and building support services, nursing and residential care facilities and specialty trades.

Thompson-Okanagan’s employment is expected to grow by 1.4% overall, which is the second highest mark in the province, behind only the Vancouver Island/Coast region.

“Despite the global economic challenges we’re facing, there are significant job opportunities for people over the next decade as we keep building an economy that is inclusive, sustainable and doesn’t leave any British Columbians behind,” BC Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills Selina Robinson said in a press release.

“Our government is taking action with our Future Ready plan to break down barriers to ensure people have the skills and supports they need for these good-paying careers and employers can access the talent they need to grow."

Of the 120,000 job openings expected in the Southern Interior, 74,000 will come from retirements and 45,900 will be through expansion.

The report also breaks down the total job openings expected in each typical education background.

Registered nurses and psychiatric nurses is No. 1 for those with a degree, at 2,690, while cooks lead the way in the apprentice certificate category.

Those with a diploma or certificate will have plenty of nurse aide, orderly and patient service associate positions from which to choose, while retails jobs will be the most required position for those with a high school degree.

Meanwhile, the Thompson-Okanagan’s fastest growing industries over the next decade are expected to be:

• computer systems design and related services
• management, scientific and technical consulting services
• nursing and residential care facilities
• ports and freight transportation arrangement
• travel arrangement services
• non-residential building construction

Several of the jobs that will require more workers over the next decade can be trained for at Okanagan College, including cooks, automotive technicians, carpenters, nurse aides and administrative officers. The college is also providing shorter courses and certificate training to fill critical gaps in the provincial workforce.

“This labour market outlook confirms what we’re hearing from industry and communities across the region,” OC college president Dr. Neil Fassina said. “There are areas of the workforce that are facing staffing shortages and in need of workers.

“We are targeting those industries to offer training opportunities that will help people right across the Okanagan and Shuswap enhance their skills and their careers.”

Photo: Contributed