Opportunities abound in Northeast British Columbia with core industries of employment being construction, retail trade, other private services, food services & drinking places, truck transportation and oil and gas extraction and its supporting services.
For many years, the economies of the northeast have been diversifying from what was for many years, primarily resource and agriculture-based economies. Communities in the northeast have now matured to where the top five primary industries by employment represent less than half of the overall jobs in the region.
Because Dawson Creek is centrally located and is serviced by many highways, workers who live in Dawson Creek are able to commute to jobs in other municipalities such as Tumbler Ridge, Chetwynd, Taylor and Fort St John. Many rural residents also commute daily into Dawson Creek for work.
Labour Market Outlook
Every year, the British Columbia government updates their 10-year labour market projections by region and publishes B.C.’s Labour Market Outlook through WorkBC. Dawson Creek is found in the Northeast region of the province which includes Fort St. John, Chetywnd, Tumbler Ridge and Fort Nelson.
Construction, oil & gas and trucking lead the way
The latest predictions in B.C.’s Labour Market Outlook (2021-2031) anticipate that the Northeast will see a 10-year employment growth rate of 1.0%. Construction, oil and gas extraction and truck transportation are expected to lead as industries with the most job openings over the coming decade.
Highest Labour Force Participation, Lowest Unemployment
The BC Labour Market Outlook 2021 Edition points out that ” The Northeast had the highest participation rate in 2020 at 74.1 per cent, 10.5 percentage points higher than the provincial average (63.6 in 2020). It had an unemployment rate of 6.4 per cent, the lowest in the province, in 2020. The average B.C. unemployment rate was 8.9 per cent in 2020.”
And with regard to 2021, the Northern Development Initiative Trust’s State of the North report cites Statistics Canada numbers showing northeast BC was the region with the lowest unemployment rate in BC, at 4.6%.
Industries with the Most Job Openings: 2021-2031 (Northeast)
|
Industry |
Employment (2021) |
Employment Growth Rate |
Expansion |
Replacement |
Job Openings |
|
Construction |
3,580 |
1.8% |
740 |
770 |
1,510 |
|
Oil and gas extraction |
2,200 |
1.8% |
450 |
620 |
1,070 |
|
Truck transportation |
1,900 |
2.1% |
450 |
450 |
930 |
|
Other retail trade (excluding cars and personal care) |
3,710 |
0.6% |
220 |
510 |
730 |
|
Repair, personal and |
2,000 |
1.6% |
350 |
270 |
620 |
|
Business and building support services (excluding travel) |
930 |
3.1% |
340 |
190 |
540 |
|
Wholesale trade |
1,400 |
1.4% |
220 |
300 |
520 |
|
Social assistance |
1,430 |
0.9% |
140 |
340 |
480 |
|
Real estate and rental and leasing |
890 |
2.4% |
240 |
190 |
430 |
|
Farms and support activities |
1,020 |
0.8% |
80 |
320 |
400 |
Average / Median Income
| Individuals (population aged 15 years and over) |
Households |
|||
| Tax Year | Average ($) | Median ($) | Average ($) | Median ($) |
| 2005 | 34,633 | 26,856 | 62,253 | 50,848 |
| 2010 | 40,735 | 33,490 | 73,312 | 58,416 |
| 2015 | 50,079 | 40,242 | 90,925 | 79,061 |
Source: Statistics Canada
