BC Construction Association
  • Industry Priorities
    • US Tariffs
    • Prompt Payment
    • Removal of “Contract A”
    • Public Sector Procurement
    • Skilled Workforce Development
    • Truth and Reconciliation
    • View All Priorities…
    • BCCA Policy Statements
  • Project Delivery
    • BidCentral
    • Standard Documents
    • Builders Lien & Closeout
      • Builders Lien
      • Closeout Guide
    • Read Your Contract
    • Guide to BC Trade Definitions
    • Public Sector Procurement
      • Public Sector Projects Tip Line
      • Capital Asset Management Framework
      • Owners Only
    • Construction Files
  • Skilled Workforce
    • Builders Life TalentCentral
    • BCCA Employee Benefits
    • BCCA Integrating Newcomers
    • BCCA Past Chair Legacy Fund
    • Building Builders
    • Builders Code
    • Connect
    • Future Builders: Green Energy Installation
    • Honour the Work
    • LNG Canada Trades Training Fund
    • Safety
    • Skilled Trades Employment Program
    • Archived Programs
  • News & Publications
    • News
    • BCCA Podcasts
      • Inside Construction
      • Legends of Construction
    • Stat Packs & Data
    • Reports
    • Resources
      • Guides
    • Events
      • Members Only
  • About BCCA
    • 50 Years: 1970-2020
    • Our Team
    • Board of Directors
      • BCCA Board Members Only
    • Annual Reports
    • Strategic Plan
    • Industry Representation
    • Committees
    • Government Relations
    • Regional Associations
    • Network & Partners
    • Careers at BCCA
    • Contact Us
  • Get Involved
    • Become a Member
    • Employee Benefit Programs
    • Safety
      • Site Ready BC Registration
      • The Tailgate Toolkit
    • Training
      • LNG Canada Trades Training Fund
      • SiteReady BC Safety Training
      • Low-Carbon Training Program
      • Builders Code Workplace Culture Training
      • Regional Construction Associations: Education and Training
    • Construction Month
    • Take a Survey
  • Click to open the search input field Click to open the search input field Search
  • Menu Menu

September 17, 2018

BC 2018 Labour Market Outlook Released

2018: Labour Market Outlook

WorkBC has released the 2018 edition of British Columbia’s Labour Market Outlook

The report provides up-to-date information on the types of jobs and skills that will be in demand in B.C. between now and 2028. Below are some of the highlights and trends impacting the construction industry.

An emerging theme from the Outlook is the expectation for education and skills training, as well as automation, to help balance the currently forecasted surplus of job openings.

*Does not include LNG Canada pending final invesment decision

General:

  • 903,000 job opening between now and 2028, almost on par with 2017’s LMO at 917,000
  • 68% of workers due to leave the workforce (predominantly due to retirements)
  • 50% of openings will be filled by first time entrants
  • Unemployment continues to trend downwards, forecasting to be below 4.9% by 2028

Construction Industry:

  • Total current construction jobs in British Columbia: 251,707 (StatsCanada)
  • Construction has fallen to #10 overall in job openings by industry groups (#7 in the 2017 LMO)
  • Construction still sits high in total overall replacement jobs forecast at #3: 54,500
  • Job expansion projections however are contracting: -5,800 forecast between now and 2028

Construction Occupations:

  • Trades, Transport and Equipment Operators are in the top 5 occupational groups for projected job openings
  • Construction Senior Manager positions are forecast to grow to 3,900 openings through 2028. An increase from 3,500 in the 2017 LMO.
    • This position has the highest wage potential within its occupational category (High demand positions in management requiring a combination of education and work experience) at $90.77/hour (a 12% increase from the 2017 LMO)

Construction Changes to the High Demand Occupations List:

  • No new occupations have been added to this year’s report
  • Contractors, Supervisors and Heavy Equipment Operators are one of 5 occupations removed from the High Demand List this year

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on X
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
  • All News
    • News Releases
    • Official Statements
    • Industry Priority Updates
      • View all Industry Priorities
    • Other News

Keyword Search

Search Search

Sign Up for our Newsletter!

Be sure to subscribe to our monthly BCCA Briefing to get the latest on important topics like prompt payment and compulsory trades.

Affiliated Construction Associations

© 2025 BC Construction Association. All Rights Reserved.

Contact / Careers / Privacy Policy

© Copyright - BC Construction Association - powered by Enfold WordPress Theme
  • Link to X
  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to LinkedIn
  • Link to Mail
Link to: Petition filed in BC Supreme Court Link to: Petition filed in BC Supreme Court Petition filed in BC Supreme Court Link to: NAFTA Replaced with the USMCA Link to: NAFTA Replaced with the USMCA NAFTA Replaced with the USMCA
Scroll to top Scroll to top Scroll to top

Builders Life | Skilled Trades Employment Program

Builders Life - STEP Form

Name(Required)
I would like to receive updates about Builders Life related to Workforce Solutions, Project Delivery, and Construction Industry News from the BC Construction Association.

Builders Life | Skilled Trades Employment Program

Builders Life - STEP Form

Name(Required)
I would like to receive updates about Builders Life related to Workforce Solutions, Project Delivery, and Construction Industry News from the BC Construction Association.

Builders Life | Building Builders – Mentee

Builders Life - Building Builders Form

Name(Required)
I would like to receive updates about Builders Life related to Workforce Solutions, Project Delivery, and Construction Industry News from the BC Construction Association.

Builders Life | BCCA – Integrating Newcomers

Builders Life - Integrating Newcomers Form

Name(Required)
The Unique Client Identifier (UCI) number is a client reference number listed on official documents from the today’s experts with tomorrow’s leaders. Whether you’re just considering a career in the Government of Canada. The UCI is an 8 or 10 digit number (Example: 0000-0000 or 00-0000-0000).
I would like to receive updates about Builders Life related to Workforce Solutions, Project Delivery, and Construction Industry News from the BC Construction Association.

Builders Life | CONNECT

Builders Life - CONNECT Form

Name(Required)
I would like to receive updates about Builders Life related to Workforce Solutions, Project Delivery, and Construction Industry News from the BC Construction Association.