Print This Page

A Growing Labour Pool

• In 2007, employment in British Columbia grew 3.2 per cent, second highest among provinces and exceeding the national average of 2.3 per cent.
• Approximately 70,800 new jobs were created in B.C. in 2007, up from 65,000 jobs in 2006.
• B.C.’s annual average unemployment rate dropped to 4.2 per cent in 2007, from 4.8 per cent in 2006.(Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, December 2007)

An Educated Workforce

• British Columbia’s high quality, diverse labour pool of 2.2 million has continuously expanded to meet the needs of growing sectors. Employees offer an exceptional depth of skills, education, and experience.
• 59.3% of the province’s employees have some form of post-secondary training, including 22.9% with a university degree or higher. (Statistics Canada, 2006 )
• Over 23% of British Columbia residents are visible minorities. (Statistics Canada, 2006) • 27.5% of British Columbia’s population immigrated to the province from another country. (Statistics Canada, 2006).
• Between 2004 and 2010, BC is are adding 25,000 new student spaces at colleges, university-colleges, universities and institutes across the province.
• About 433,000 full- and part-time students are enrolled in public post-secondary institutions in B.C. in 2006/07, the highest number ever.
• An estimated 3,000 person-years of career related work experience is provided by student internship programs every year.