Demand for engineers is expected to create an additional 16,000 jobs in the field over the next seven years, with the bulk of those jobs in Alberta and B.C., according to a report released by Randstad Engineering and Engineers Canada.
Engineering Labour Market in Canada: Projections to 2020 found that the two westernmost provinces have the strongest engineering markets in the country, and skills shortages mean both are having to look elsewhere to attract the necessary talent.
“Employers in British Columbia will need to source engineers from other markets for much of the coming decade,” said Stephen McCrum, Randstad Engineering vice-president, western Canada.
In B.C., the average employee age for engineers is higher than in other provinces, raising the province’s demand further.
“The focus [in B.C.] will be on specialized and experienced engineers to replace retiring workers,” said McCrum.
The report also found that B.C.’s engineering market consists of:
- volatile resource-related occupations like mining, petroleum and metallurgical engineers; and
- balanced occupations like computer and industrial engineers.
