Recently Kendi Clearwater and Donelda Wood, two local WorkBC staff from Oliver and Osoyoos attended a labour market outlook seminar in Kelowna to discuss the 2017 Labour Market Review.
For anyone looking to read the full report, it is available at Workbc.ca under the labour market and industry tab. The outlook is a 10-year forecast and is broken down into various regions detailing the expected demand for workers, and includes variables such as geography, industry and occupation.
The current unemployment rate in B.C. is 4.9 per cent, and anything under 6 per cent is considered full employment. This can be great for workers, giving workers more choices, and it can be challenging for employers as they try to recruit skilled, able-bodied employees in the numbers they need.
This region is driven by seasonal employment in many fields such as tourism, hospitality and agriculture, and the challenge is even greater in these industries.
History has shown when the unemployment rates go this low, many employers are forced to find greater efficiencies and this has often included downsizing people in favour of automation. This is not all bad, as automation can also create new jobs and new occupations; often these jobs are higher skilled which can lead to higher pay.
“Workplaces will continue to evolve along with new technologies. More and more, a person’s success in the labour market will rely on their adaptability and ability to develop transferable skills and competencies.” (BC Labour Market Outlook: 2017 Edition)
In the Thompson Okanagan region, which includes Kamloops, Kelowna, Vernon, Salmon Arm, Penticton and the South Okanagan, the fastest growing industries include nursing and residential care facilities, other manufacturing, real estate, rentals and leasing. Breaking this region down even further to just the South Okanagan, local WorkBC offices have seen a demand for skilled trades in all the construction trades, mechanical trades, early childhood educators, education assistants, a full range of health and nursing related occupations, justice related occupations such as sherriffs, correction officers and border guards. Skilled workers in agriculture and viticulture, winemaking and related industries are always in demand, and a full range of positions lie in the tourism, hospitality, food and beverage industries.
The fastest growing industry in the province as well as in this region in 2017 and predicted to continue to grow through 2027 is health care, with 15.5 per cent of total new jobs. The second highest is science and technology providing a projected 11.2 per cent of all new job openings. It is estimated that 78 per cent of jobs will require some form of post secondary education or training.
It’s clear there is a need for an increasingly skilled workforce. Keeping up will be a challenge. A strong combination of skills and workforce competencies will help people adapt to changes and opportunities that come along with increased automation.
Local WorkBC offices in Oliver and Osoyoos can provide you with more specific information on the local labour market. These offices provide information on jobs, training, and the Canada-BC job grant which helps employers access funds to train current staff.
Staff provide information on wage subsidies to support learning on the job, and they assist job seekers with information on careers, helping people chart a path to employment. Staff offer free services to employers and job seekers alike.
WorkBC is also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JobsinOliverandOsoyoos. The office posts local jobs, host workshops, job fairs and provides information to connect employers and job seekers from all walks of life.
If you would like to speak with someone about these opportunities or any of the information included here, call 250-498-2911, ext. 4107.
WorkBC will soon be taking reservations for spaces in the upcoming job fair in March, hosted in partnership with the Osoyoos Indian Band.
