Western Canada to create 16,000 more jobs for engineers by 2020

Toronto – The job market for engineers is strongest in western Canada, according to data in a recently released report, Engineering Labour Market in Canada: Projections to 2020. Sponsored by Randstad Engineering in conjunction with Engineers Canada, the report shows that there is ‘strong expansion demand’ in the engineering sector in British Columbia, Alberta, and the prairie provinces. Here are some highlights from the report.

• Saskatchewan: Engineering markets are more cyclical and more varied than other provinces, but supply constraints are an issue. Resource projects are absorbing all available engineers – especially mining engineers. Saskatchewan is a small market with big project demands that come and go. Local post-secondary programs are not able to keep pace. Engineering immigration has been limited and strong current demand is reflected as Canadians from other provinces seek jobs and licensure in the province.

• Alberta: Along with BC, Alberta is the strongest engineering market in Canada. There was strong engineering job growth in the past year, however there are ongoing shortages and recruiting challenges for engineers with five to 10 years of experience or specialized skills. Growth in enrolments in post-secondary programs for engineers has lagged behind national trends and may contribute to a tight labour market.

• British Columbia: One of the two strongest engineering markets in Canada, BC faces skills shortages and volatile markets in resource-related occupations like mining, metallurgical and petroleum engineers. However conditions are more balanced for computer and industrial engineers. BC employers will need to source engineers from other markets, however it is hard to attract them from other western provinces due to competitive compensation levels;

* Manitoba: Expansion demands are concentrated in resource and utility projects. Construction, particularly in electrical generation and transmission, is a big driver. Labour markets are divided, with ongoing shortages and recruiting challenges for engineers with five to 10 years of experience or specialized skills.

On a national basis, expansion demand is expected to create an additional 16,000 jobs for engineers by 2020. Virtually all of these jobs will be west of Quebec, with the bulk of them in Alberta and British Columbia.

For more information, visit the website at www.randstadengineering.ca.