The B.C. government is re-engineering its education system in a bid to produce more workers for the most in-demand occupations, largely in the resource sector.
The changes are largely driven by the expectation that the province can establish a new liquefied natural gas industry, but even with the changes announced on Tuesday, the province will still not be able to train enough workers to fill all the anticipated gaps.
According to the government's estimates, here are the top 10 occupations in 2018 related to LNG:
Construction trades – helpers and labourers
- Status quo: 27,750
- With education changes, an additional: 11,250
- Expected demand: 39,000
Steamfitters and pipefitters
- Status quo: 3,100
- With education changes, an additional: 3,000
- Expected demand: 6,800
Welders
- Status quo: 11,900
- With education changes, an additional: 1,900
- Expected demand: 14,000
Concrete finishers
- Status quo: 2,200
- With education changes, an additional: 1,150
- Expected demand: 3,650
Transport truck drivers
- Status quo: 41,750
- With education changes, an additional: 2,200
- Expected demand: 44,450
Carpenters
- Status quo: 36,750
- With education changes, an additional: 2,250
- Expected demand: 39,500
Heavy equipment operators
- Status quo: 14,200
- With education changes, an additional: 1,550
- Expected demand: 16,050
Gas fitters
- Status quo: 1,650
- With education changes, an additional: 875
- Expected demand: 2,750
Purchasing agents and officers
- Status quo: 5,550
- With education changes, an additional: 875
- Expected demand: 6,525
Crane operators
- Status quo: 2,700
- With education changes, an additional: 700
- Expected demand: 3,450