Overview of the Engineering Industry
Forecast of Engineering Job Openings (2015-2024) & Projected Employment Gap: Engineers, Geoscientists, Technologists & Technicians
The report, Labour Market Information (2015-2024) Engineers, Geoscientists, Technologists and Technicians in B.C. forecasts that B.C. faces a considerable demand for new engineers, geoscientists, technologists and technicians over the next 10 years projecting a net of 11,555 new, additional jobs by 2024. With the addition of retirement, 31,150 job openings will need to be filled over the 10 years of the forecast (2015-2024).
From 2015 to 2019, labour market expansion will drive job openings. However, over the course of the 10- year period, retirement will account for the majority of job openings, with one quarter of workers today expected to retire and leave the labour market in the next decade. The rate of supply is expected to lag job openings throughout the entire 10-year outlook – up to 10 per cent in the first five years.
From 2015 to 2019, labour market expansion will drive job openings. However, over the course of the 10- year period, retirement will account for the majority of job openings, with one quarter of workers today expected to retire and leave the labour market in the next decade. The rate of supply is expected to lag job openings throughout the entire 10-year outlook – up to 10 per cent in the first five years.
It is projected that by 2024, 52% of these openings will be filled by new graduates, 40% by new immigrants, 1% by inter-provincial mobility and 7% by inter-occupational mobility.
Regional Distribution of Engineers
84% in Lower Mainland, 1% in Northern BC, 6% in Southeastern BC, 9% in Vancouver Island Coast
(*14 engineering occupations)
Regional Distribution of Technologists/Technicians
71% in the Lower Mainland; 5% in Northern BC; 12% in Southeastern BC; and 12% in Vancouver Island Coast
(*16 Technologist and Technician occupations)