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Workforce at a Glance
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Greater Vancouver
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British Columbia
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| Size of workforce |
1,205,000 |
2,219,300 |
| Number employed
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1,123,800
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2,059,700
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| Participation rate
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67.6%
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65.5%
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| Workforce growth rate in past year
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+ 1.2%
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+ 1.8%
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| Workforce growth rate in past 5 years
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+ 11.8%
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+ 8.0%
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| Number unemployed
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81,500
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159,500
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| Unemployment rate
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6.8%
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7.2%
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| % with university degree
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23%
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18%
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| % with other post secondary training
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43%
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46%
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| % with proficiency in a language in addition to English
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58%
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40%
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Sources: Labour Force Survey, annual averages, 2004; 2001 Census, Statistics Canada
A Growing, Talented Workforce.
 A remarkable city attracts remarkable people, so it is no surprise that Vancouver has a growing, talented workforce.
The Vancouver region is home to the largest workforce in British Columbia, with more than 1.2 million workers, accounting for 55% of the province's total workforce.
Vancouver is a magnet for talent from across the country and around the globe; workers are drawn here by the region's expanding economy and exceptional quality of life. In the five years from 1999 to 2004, Vancouver 's workforce grew at an annual rate of 2.3%, adding 118,300 to an already strong talent pool. The workforce increased in twelve of sixteen industry sectors, led by construction with 17,100 new jobs, health care and social services with 14,300 new jobs, and education with 14,100 new jobs (source: Labour Force Survey, Statistics Canada).
Well Educated, with an International Perspective.
Vancouver 's international workforce bring a depth of skills, education and experience:
- 66% have some form of post-secondary training, including 23% with a university degree (source: 2001 Census, Statistics Canada );
- Of the 800,000 residents who have completed post-secondary education, close to 23% have training in commerce, management and business administration; 17% have training in engineering and applied science technologies and trades.
- BC's universities produce more than 17,000 graduates each year, including 4,000 students in engineering and sciences, and 1,400 students in commerce and business administration (source: University Presidents Council) ;
- 58% of area residents are proficient in a language other than English, adding to cross-cultural communication and international connections (source: Statistics Canada, 2001 Census);
- 26% of Vancouver 's employment base work in sales and service occupations, 20% in business, finance and administration occupations, and 12% in trades and transportation occupations. (source: Statistics Canada, 2001 Census).
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Stable and Available.
Vancouver companies have a demonstrated track record of recruiting talented people from other areas in Canada, and other countries. When jobs are located where people want to live, it is easier to attract workers, and to keep them. Vancouver companies experience little difficulty in recruiting talent, even when labour markets are tight, because the city is an attractive place to live and work.
According to a 1998 Angus Reid survey, 82% of workers in Vancouver would not accept a matching job offer in another location, whereas 47% of workers living in the Toronto and Montreal areas would relocate.
Supportive Workforce Policies.
- Employment regulations
The BC Employment Standards Act sets standards for wages and working conditions, including hours of work, overtime and holiday provisions, for most industries in the province. The Act has been modified in recent years to provide flexibility for key sectors such as technology, oil and gas, agriculture, and transportation.
- Immigration policies
BC companies benefit from favourable immigration policies that streamline requirements for some immigrant and temporary workers, entrepreneurs, and company transfers.
More information about Canada's "Search Waived Process".
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Growth.
Top 10 Growth Industries, by change in size of workforce, Vancouver CMA
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Change in size of workforce
1999 - 2004
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| 1. |
Construction
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+ 17,100
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| 2. |
Health care & social services
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+ 14,300
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| 3. |
Educational services
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+ 14,100
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| 4. |
Management, administrative & other support services
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+ 11,500
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| 5. |
Accommodation & food services
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+ 11,300
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| 6. |
Professional, scientific and technical services
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+ 11,000
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| 7. |
Manufacturing
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+ 10,200
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| 8. |
Finance, insurance & real estate
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+ 10,000
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| 9. |
Information, culture & recreation
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+ 9,900
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| 10. |
Public administration
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+ 9,000
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Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, annual averages
Well Educated.
Top 10 Post-secondary Qualifications, by Major Field of Study, Vancouver CMA
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Number of people
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% of total population with post-secondary qualifications
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| 1. |
Commerce, management & business administration
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183,455
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22.9%
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| 2. |
Engineering and applied science technologies & trades
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135,145
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16.9%
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| 3. |
Health professions, sciences and technologies
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85,930
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10.7%
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| 4. |
Social sciences and related fields
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81,855
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10.2%
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| 5. |
Educational, recreational and counseling services
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78,035
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9.8%
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| 6. |
Humanities and related fields
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60,515
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7.6%
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| 7. |
Engineering and applied sciences
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49,230
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6.2%
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| 8. |
Fine and applied arts
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47,920
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6.0%
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| 9. |
Agricultural, biological, nutritional, and food sciences
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37,860
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4.7%
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| 10. |
Mathematics and physical sciences
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37,255
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4.7%
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Source: Statistics Canada, 2001 Census
Top 10 Post Secondary Educational Institutions in Vancouver region
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Institution |
Total Enrollment (Head Count) |
| 1. |
University of British Columbia (Vancouver) |
42,330 |
| 2. |
British Columbia Institute of Technology (Burnaby) |
38,014 |
| 3. |
Simon Fraser University (Burnaby) |
22,705 |
| 4. |
Vancouver Community College (Vancouver) |
22,326 |
| 5. |
Kwantlen University College (Surrey) |
15,683 |
| 6. |
Langara College (Vancouver) |
12,674 |
| 7. |
Douglas College (New Westminster) |
12,370 |
| 8. |
Capilano College (North Vancouver) |
9,058 |
| 9. |
Justice Institute of BC |
2,018 |
| 10. |
Emily Carr Institute of Art & Design (Vancouver) |
1,391 |
Sources: University data from University Presidents Council (headcount enrollment for 2004/05); all other data from Ministry of Advanced Education, Planning & Data Management Branch (headcount enrollment for base funded programs, 2003/04)
Diverse Skills.
Top 10 Languages, Vancouver CMA
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Number of people
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% of total population
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| 1. |
English
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1,873,760
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95.2%
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| 2. |
Chinese
(including Cantonese & Mandarin)
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357,550
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18.2%
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| 3. |
French
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148,995
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7.6%
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| 4. |
Punjabi
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104,285
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5.3%
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| 5. |
Hindi
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54,850
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2.8%
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| 6. |
German
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51,110
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2.6%
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| 7. |
Spanish
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50,940
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2.6%
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| 8. |
Tagalog (Philipino)
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47,930
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2.4%
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| 9. |
Italian
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28,820
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1.5%
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| 10. |
Korean
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27,145
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1.4%
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Source: Statistics Canada, 2001 Census, Knowledge of official and non-official languages
Top 10 Occupations, Vancouver CMA
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Number of people
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% of total workforce
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| 1. |
Sales & service occupations
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272,305
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25.9%
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| 2. |
Business, finance & administration occupations
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207,890
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19.8%
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| 3. |
Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations
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126,885
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12.1%
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| 4. |
Management occupations
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124,960
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11.9%
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| 5. |
Social science, education, & government service occupations
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77,440
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7.4%
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| 6. |
Natural and applied sciences and related occupations
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75,150
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7.2%
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| 7. |
Health occupations
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54,895
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5.2%
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| 8. |
Manufacturing, processing and utilities occupations
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49,435
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4.7%
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| 9. |
Arts, culture, recreation & sport occupations
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42,595
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4.1%
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| 10. |
Primary industry occupations
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18,355
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1.7%
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Source: Statistics Canada, 2001 Census
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