VANCOUVER — As the global shift to low-carbon economies accelerates, British Columbia’s competitiveness and its ambition to become the “engine of economic growth for Canada” will depend on how quickly it can build clean industries and infrastructure.
But B.C. may not have the workforce to keep up.
A new report from the Pembina Institute and Accelerating Community Energy Transformation (ACET), informed by leaders from community organizations, education, labour, business, Indigenous communities and government across B.C., details how growing labour shortages are putting the province’s clean economy at risk. Community-based development and major industrial projects in B.C., including four of the federal government's proposed nation-building projects, the province’s proposed critical minerals corridor and 18 other major provincial projects, create significant opportunities for job creation and long-term economic growth.
B.C. is entering an unprecedented period of development, and meeting the scale of buildout will require a significant expansion of the skilled workforce. Yet a key piece is missing.
The labour market plan promised under the 2018 CleanBC climate strategy was never delivered. Today, that gap is becoming more pronounced as labour shortage tighten and competition for workers increases.
More than 600,000 skilled trades workers are expected to retire across Canada this decade, while job vacancies in B.C. trades have already risen by 47% over the past decade, with demand expected to grow as projects accelerate.
The report finds that training systems are not always aligned with labour market demand, creating gaps between available skills and emerging jobs. Coordination between employers, educators and governments remains limited, and job quality continues to affect recruitment and retention. These challenges are especially acute in rural and northern communities, where many major projects are located but access to training and labour supply is constrained.
Workers are needed across the economy to retrofit buildings, install clean energy systems, expand electricity and infrastructure and deliver major projects. Aligning training, improving job quality and strengthening regional workforce development will be critical to ensuring the benefits of this transition are realized across the province.
B.C. has an opportunity to continue its leadership in the clean energy economy, but that depends on having the workforce to build it. Without a clear, coordinated workforce plan that ensures enough skilled workers are trained and available where they are needed, the province risks falling short in delivering on its ambitions at a time when momentum is building.
Quotes
“B.C. is at a point where the scale of economic and clean energy development is clear, but without enough skilled workers, projects will be delayed, costs will rise and communities will miss out on the benefits. Delivering on the province’s economic and clean energy ambitions will ultimately depend on whether it can build a workforce strategy that matches that ambition.”
– Megan Gordon, Manager, Sustainable Workforce, Pembina Institute
“We heard from leaders that more research is needed on how to grow the sustainable workforce required for the clean energy transition in B.C., particularly in small and rural communities facing distinct labour market and training barriers. ACET looks forward to working with partners such as the Pembina Institute and other organizations to develop the evidence needed to support effective, place-based workforce solutions for communities across B.C.”
— Dr. Jason Hicks, Professor of Economics and Accelerating Community Energy Transformation (ACET) project co-lead, University of Victoria
"Post-secondary institutions are already responding to the growing demand driven by the energy transition and are committed to being part of the solution. Meeting the scale of change ahead will require stronger coordination between education, industry, and government to ensure training pathways are aligned with labor market needs and major project delivery timelines. Equally important, curricula and programs must evolve continuously as clean energy technologies advance — training that is relevant today must remain relevant as the tools, systems and skills of the trade keep changing."
—Ranjan Bhattacharya, Dean of Trades and Technology, College of the Rockies
Key findings
- Labour shortages are creating a workforce shortfall that risks delaying major infrastructure and clean energy projects in B.C.
- Training systems are not keeping pace with labour market demand, particularly in rural and northern communities.
- Job quality, including wages, benefits and safety, plays a critical role in attracting and retaining workers.
- Underused tools, including community benefit agreements and project labour agreements, can support local hiring, improve job quality and strengthen workforce outcomes.
- Better coordination, long-term policy certainty and regional workforce planning are needed to align training with demand and support local hiring.
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Visit the Pembina Institute’s website to download a copy of Sustainable Jobs in B.C.: Synthesis of workshop dialogue
Contact
Lejla Latifovic
Senior Communications Lead, Pembina Institute
819-639-4185
Background
Blog: Building a workforce for B.C.’s clean energy future
Report: Recruit, Train, Retain: Fostering low-carbon industries through regional workforce planning
Report: Key Elements: Nurturing a critical minerals workforce with lessons from British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario
Media release: CleanBC review shows plan is working, clean energy is path to strong economy
