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.
Boasting consistently low unemployment rates, the Northeast region also boasts the highest full-time employment share (83%) compared to other regions in British Columbia.
The 2016 National Census found that Dawson Creek showed the highest percentage median income growth (32%) of all metropolitan areas in British Columbia when compared to the previous 2011 census.
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. Also, the rural population is able to easily travel 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, Fort Nelson and all the communities in between.
Highest 10-Year Employment Growth Rate in British Columbia
The latest predictions in B.C.’s Labour Market Outlook (2018-2028) anticipate that the Northeast will see a higher annual growth rate at 1.4% than any other region of the province (up from 1% in 2017’s predictions). Significantly, the Construction industry, the largest sector of employment, is expected to also be one of the fastest growing industries of employment, growing 25% by 2027 with over 1,500 new positions added (2.2% average annual growth).
Highest 10-Year Expansion-Replacement Ratio in the Province
Industries with Most Job Openings: 2018-2028 (Northeast)
|
Industry |
Employment (2018) |
Employment Growth Rate |
Expansion |
Replacement |
Job Openings |
|
Construction |
6,380 |
2.20% |
1,570 |
1,470 |
3,040 |
|
Other retail trade (excluding cars and personal care) |
3,110 |
1.60% |
550 |
570 |
1,120 |
|
Repair, personal and non-profit services |
2,120 |
1.70% |
400 |
390 |
790 |
|
Oil and gas extraction |
1,400 |
2.00% |
310 |
340 |
650 |
|
Elementary and secondary schools |
1,910 |
1.10% |
230 |
410 |
640 |
|
Truck transportation |
1,840 |
0.90% |
170 |
460 |
630 |
|
Food services and drinking places |
2,130 |
1.30% |
290 |
260 |
550 |
|
Support activities for mining and oil and gas extraction |
1,890 |
0.50% |
80 |
400 |
480 |
|
Wholesale trade |
1,370 |
0.90% |
130 |
290 |
420 |
|
Ambulatory health care services |
760 |
2.80% |
240 |
150 |
390 |
Source: BC Labour Market Outlook 2018 Edition
Employment Projections (2018-2028)
| OCCUPATION | EMPLOYMENT 2018 |
EXPANSION 2018-2028 |
REPLACEMENT |
JOB OPENINGS 2018-2028 |
| LEVEL 0: Usually requiring combination of education and experience | ||||
| Retail and wholesale trade managers | 990 | 140 | 230 | 370 |
| Managers in agriculture | 700 | 60 | 180 | 240 |
| Construction managers | 360 | 80 | 100 | 180 |
| Restaurant and food service managers | 340 | 50 | 70 | 110 |
| Managers in natural resources production and fishing | 250 | 20 | 80 | 100 |
| LEVEL A: Usually requiring a Bachelor’s, Graduate or First Professional Degree | ||||
| Elementary school and kindergarten teachers | 750 | 90 | 150 | 240 |
| Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses | 530 | 100 | 90 | 180 |
| Secondary school teachers | 280 | 30 | 60 | 90 |
| Financial auditors and accountants | 160 | 40 | 40 | 70 |
| Other financial officers | 90 | 40 | 20 | 60 |
| LEVEL B: Usually requiring diploma, certificate or apprenticeship training | ||||
| Accounting technicians and bookkeepers | 740 | 140 | 200 | 340 |
| Administrative officers | 620 | 90 | 190 | 280 |
| Carpenters | 670 | 150 | 120 | 270 |
| Administrative assistants | 610 | 80 | 140 | 220 |
| Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers | 630 | 100 | 110 | 210 |
| LEVEL C: Usually requiring secondary school and/or occupation- specific training | ||||
| Transport truck drivers | 1,710 | 180 | 450 | 630 |
| Retail salespersons | 1,290 | 200 | 190 | 390 |
| Heavy equipment operators (except crane) | 690 | 130 | 180 | 310 |
| General office support workers | 660 | 100 | 150 | 250 |
| Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates | 360 | 80 | 70 | 150 |
| LEVEL D: Usually requiring on-the-job training | ||||
| Janitors, caretakers and building superintendents | 850 | 90 | 210 | 300 |
| Construction trades helpers and labourers | 680 | 150 | 110 | 260 |
| Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations | 780 | 110 | 60 | 180 |
| Light duty cleaners | 620 | 40 | 120 | 160 |
| Cashiers | 480 | 80 | 60 | 140 |
BC Labour Market Outlook 2018-2028: Northeast Region
https://www.workbc.ca/Labour-Market-Industry/Labour-Market-Outlook.aspx
Dawson Creek Employment Profile
Unemployment Rate Comparison (%)
Unadjusted for seasonality:
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
Occupation – National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016
| Total labour force population aged 15 years and over by occupation | 6,720 |
| All occupations | 6,580 |
| Management occupations | 590 |
| Business, finance and administration occupations | 895 |
| Natural and applied sciences and related occupations | 225 |
| Health occupations | 490 |
| Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services | 610 |
| Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport | 70 |
| Sales and service occupations | 1,665 |
| Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations | 1,425 |
| Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations | 280 |
| Occupations in manufacturing and utilities | 320 |
Source: Statistics Canada 2016 Census
