Labour Market Information

LMI Articles

Overview of Sunshine Coast Labour Market

Skills Shortages on the Sunshine Coast

Nursing Type Jobs, Anyone?

The District of Sechelt - a community growing and evolving

21st Century Construction

Overview of Sunshine Coast Labour Market

21^st Century Construction

By Noni Weitz

On the residential side, development takes place by way of expansion to current residential roads, creation of new sub-divisions and re-zoning of various properties to create higher density land use.  Construction has taken place in all outlying populated centres stretching from Gibsons to Pender Harbour.  The list alone is daunting and from 2002 – 2006, 1585 residential building permits were issued covering single detached, row housing and apartment units.[i]  

Have our available trades workers been able to keep up with the demand?  No, and although individuals re-locate to communities where employment is strong, the shortage is still acutely felt by homeowners wanting to build or renovate their properties.[ii]  The shortage exists due to two separate variables, actual shortage of workers and age distribution of the available pool of workers. Sunshine Coast construction industry accounts for 8.2% of working population compared to 5.9% for the BC average and although more people are employed in the construction trade on the Sunshine Coast, the supply does not meet the demand.  In addition, when thinking about age distribution, the typical age for workers in this field generally spans ages 15 to 50 and persons tend to work more part time or in less physically demanding positions as they age.  Census information from 2006 census indicates further information.  Please see table below.                                      

     15-29                                  3635                            13.1% (SC)     19.1% (BC)    

     50-59                                  5180                            18.6% (SC)     14.8% (BC).[iii]  

Trades have traditionally been a field that is predominantly occupied by males.  Over the past thirty years, women have slowly increased their labour market participation and now represent 3.4% of the construction sector’s total workforce, a fourfold increase over the 0.9% representation in 1971.  Yet, this level falls far short of the potential women actively participating in the sector.  Challenges that are typically considered as barriers such as work is too physical or women aren’t strong enough are antiquated beliefs that have been challenged by the women currently working in trades fields.  Although women have made gains in trades such as carpentry, electricians, metal forming and plumbing, women still account for less than 3% of trades students and apprentices currently enrolled in either college or with Industry Training Apprenticeship. [iv]   

How does our community fair in this regard?  Howe Sound Pulp and Paper employs the largest number of women in “trades” type occupations and state that women make up 10% of the “trades” occupation workforce.  Women are employed in positions ranging from electrician, lubricant mechanic, equipment operator, longshoring and instrument mechanic.  The mill has implemented a workforce plan and is active with ongoing apprenticeship training to replace retiring workers.  Although there is no equity policy to hire women in trades positions, women are able to compete for internal positions even when starting from the administrative side or the casual pool.[v]  

Women in our community also work in the trades as painters and decorators.  The participation rate is higher than 10% and there are more than a dozen companies with crews of their own solely made up of female workers.  These companies are contracted for both commercial and residential work.[vi]   On the provincial level, this trade represents the highest percentage of female workers and female representation is slowly becoming part of the permanent face of this trade.  

In other areas of the community, women working in trades are more of an anomaly.  There is a smattering of female trade construction workers in house construction, sheet metal roofing, electrician, welding, wood manufacturing, automotive mechanics, drywall[vii], parks maintenance[viii] and deckhand (BC Ferries)[ix].  It must also be noted that women are also working in sales in building related centres, and these retail outlets include MPH, Eecol Electric, Gibson’s Building Supplies as well as the various tile painting stores.  

As another option, after high school, a student can enroll with the Trades Discovery Program (women only) at BCIT which offers full time training introduction to 20 different trades.  Classes are small with maximum 16 students per class.  The success of the program is inherent as the program has been running since 1994, there is a 2 week practicum with an employer in the trades sector and approximately 70% of the students continue employment or education in a trade related field.[x]   

With the inevitability of many Sunshine Coast construction workers retiring within the next 10 years, training new workers has never been more critical.  In addition, as the Sunshine Coast demographics are lower for the 20-29 year range (6.6%), compared to 50-59 (18.6%), there will also be challenges in meeting the occupational demands of the industry.  Using non-traditional target groups such as women is one solution and an opportunity to address the skills gap and ultimately re-invent the face of construction workers. ________________________________________________________________________ 

Quick Links

workfutures.bc.ca         occupational site to research employment prospects

itabc.ca                        industry training authority - information on trades apprenticeship

bcit.ca                          “Trades Discover for Women”

capcollege.bc.ca           “Sunshine Coast Trades Entry Program” & Residential Building Maintenance  Worker Program”            Sunshine Coast campus

Overview of Sunshine Coast Labour Market

 By Noni Weitz 

The July LMI feature article describes a general overview of the labour market for the Sunshine Coast and highlights some of the specific differences between employment in Greater Vancouver compared to the Sunshine Coast. At the Sunshine Coast Employment Centre, we regularly meet individuals interested in relocating to the Sunshine Coast and through this article I hope to provide both some insight to the uniqueness of the Sunshine Coast community as well as information for employment planning.  

The Lower Sunshine Coast is home to approximately 27,759 residents[i]  (increase of 8.43% from the last census) and is accessible only by ferry or air.  The self-contained communities stretch along a ribbon of highway 150 km long, from Port Mellon to Egmont and include Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Sechelt, Halfmoon Bay, Madeira Park, Garden Bay as steps in between.   

Throughout the history of the Sunshine Coast, fishing and forestry had been the mainstay of the economy. At the present time, fishing along with farming and food manufacturing only account for 4.5%[ii] of the population. The forestry sector employs 10.7% of the population on a full time basis and also focuses on valued added manufacturing such as boat building, log home construction and high-end custom mill work. Howe Sound Pulp and Paper is the largest employer within the forestry sector employing over 600 workers.  

The bulk of the population works in the service sector and accounts for 73.7% of the working population.  Among the highest sub-categories for the service sector include retail trade, accommodation, arts and culture.  Although these sub-categories are only slightly different when measured against the BC average, they represent part time and seasonal employment mainly filled by women and youth and as a result, the Sunshine Coast rates much lower for workers being able to work full year and full time.  

Over the past year, the Sunshine Coast economy has experienced growth in residential construction and will be completing two large municipal recreation projects during the fall of 2007.  The overall economy has been strong in all areas related to construction including land development, engineering, landscaping, building trades & services, and real estate. 

Projections for future labour market needs are based on several conditions that are currently emerging in our community.  There is a high need for healthcare workers at all levels including primary, home support, acute and facility care.  In addition, there is a planned expansion for the hospital which will require additional workers to not only fill nursing positions, but also technical occupations within the diagnostic operations of a hospital.  

The growth in the construction sector offers a different labour market demand.  New development is expected to slow down by 2014[iii] however there will be continued employment in the area of renovations for long periods of time.  Due to the number of workers expected to retire, there will be a shortage of individuals with the highly developed construction skills to replace positions such as Project Managers, Supervisors and Site Managers. In addition to general forecasts for the construction industry, the average age for workers at Howe Sound Pulp and Paper is over 50 years old. With the possibility for retirement age 60, there are many opportunities for employment at all levels ranging from engineers, trades and managers.  

In relation to demographics, the Sunshine Coast is developing as a retirement lifestyle community.  This will have an impact on the services sector, which is expected to increase providing more opportunity for employment in health & wellness, recreation, arts & culture and general fields that accommodate retirement lifestyle.    

Although the Sunshine Coast is a thriving community with a flair for artists, access to alternative healthcare and an abundance of outdoor recreation, it does not measure equally with all sectors of employment.  More specifically, occupations that often draw workers from large metropolitan populations tend not to reside in small communities.  These occupations include areas for wholesale trade (i.e. export/import businesses, warehouse district, manufacturing), information and cultural industries (theatres, call centres, specialized schools), finance & insurance (specialized departments, corporate business) and professional (management), scientific & technical services.  If you are an individual who works in these fields, you can expect to face a challenge finding employment on the Sunshine Coast and may either work part time or have to maintain your current employment in the Lower Mainland.  As an alternate solution, you may develop work through self-employment opportunities and accept contract work by engaging oneself with a larger company. 

Comparison of specific occupations:

                 Sunshine Coast                     Greater Vancouver

Wholesale Trade                                                1.6%                                         5.3%

Information & Cultural Industries             2.3%                                         4.2

Finance and Insurance                                        3.0%                                         5.2%

Professional, scientific & technical services           5.7%                                         8.7% 

Between 500 – 600[iv] individuals commute daily on BC Ferries to their place of employment.  Based on these figures, individuals tied to the Vancouver labour market on a daily basis represent 2.16% of our population or 600 households, not including all those who work on the ferries assisting with the commute.  Commuting is often not considered the 1^st option for Sunshine Coast lifestyle and not only imposes a quality of life challenge due to the length of time for a full workday; it is also financially costly over the long haul.  As an equivalent comparison, traveling from Mission by car costs approximately the same in gas as a “vehicle” ferry ticket ($35.80) to travel to downtown Vancouver. Commuting as a foot passenger by train from Mission to downtown Vancouver can also be drawn as an equivalent for costs; however the trip from Mission is 20 minutes shorter.[v] 

Given the ongoing desire to live on the Sunshine Coast and reside in small community, individuals are challenged to re-define employment and job search strategies if he/she wants to participate in the Sunshine Coast labour market.  As trends in the local labour market change, with new economies and new jobs being created, individuals develop an awareness of the changing labour market by: 

a)      Assessing and re-evaluating his/her skills

b)      Developing a new outlook on how to job search

c)       Being able to identify job opportunities beyond the box of “looking for a job.”  

Quick facts about the Sunshine Coast: 

Median age for the population at 48.3 years compared to 38.4 for BC average.

25.1% are self-employed compared to 14.1% for the BC average.  Of special interest is that 14.6% of Sunshine Coast residents work from their home as compared to 9.0% for BC average.

Average Family Income level is $57,052 compared to $64,821 for BC average.

40.2% work full time year round as compared to 50.7% for Greater Vancouver average

Higher levels of health problems as measured on the four indicators (life expectancy, physical health, mental  health  and alcohol sales)[vi]

Single parent families at 28.4% compared to 25.7% for BC average.[vii]

The District of Sechelt - a community growing and evolving

The District of Sechelt - a community growing and evolving

by Noni Weitz

The District of Sechelt is the largest incorporated community on the Lower Sunshine Coast and covers 4829 hectares under its municipality jurisdiction.  The 2006 census indicated an 8.7% increase with the population base and the number of permanent residents now stands at 8454.[i]

Historically, Sechelt is home to the Shishalh (Sechelt) nation. Original settlement by non-Sechelt people dates back to 1858, however the most prominent individual that remains part of Sechelt’s economic beginnings dates back to 1893 when the Whitaker family arrived in Sechelt. During the early 1900s, Herbert Whitaker developed the Sechelt area as a seaside resort for the Lower Mainland. Herbert Whitaker had established various business ventures to support tourism including hotels, rental houses & cottages, commercial stores, passenger steamships and commercial wharves for vacationing Vancouverites. He was also involved in the initial stages of the logging industry and built 5 logging camps to promote the development of the logging sector.[ii] Tourism and forestry finds its roots back to the early 1900s as visitors came to the Sunshine Coast for summer holiday periods while workers established employment in the forests harvesting trees for the growing Vancouver markets.   

Move ahead 80 years and today, the labour market still resembles something like the labour market of the past.  Forestry and tourism remain an integral component of the economy yet with some variations on the theme. The forestry sector having once provided the mainstay of the economy has waned to currently employing 4.6% of the Sechelt population.  However, logging, along with other Sunshine Coast forestry industries (manufacturing, dry land sorts, loggings, milling, etc) draws individuals from all parts of the Sunshine Coast and actually comprises a total of 8.9% [iii] of the labour market profile.   

Tourism on the other hand, is still developing strong, employing almost 25% of the Sechelt population between the services of accommodation, food & beverage as well as retail trade compared to 19% for the provincial average.  However, even though the tourism sector employs 1/4 of the Sechelt population, the caveat is that employment remains seasonal.  Like Vancouver and Vancouver Island tourism markets, the tourism economy is at its peak during the summer season and is weaker during the remaining parts of the year.  More specifically, a survey was completed in 2002 by the Sunshine Coast Tourism Partnership that indicated occupancy rates for hotels/motels, campsites and B&Bs are at 35% occupancy rate compared to 62.7% for the provincial average for the spring period and 39% occupancy rate compared to 60% for the provincial average for the fall period. [iv] Amid strong hopes to propel Sechelt and the Sunshine Coast forward as a tourism destination market with the upcoming 2010 Olympics and Para Olympics, Sechelt has evolved into a retirement community attracting retirement folk from the Lower Mainland and afar.  

Since 2000, Sechelt along with other geographic areas of the Sunshine Coast has experienced a housing boom.  Construction measures at 9.4 % of the local labour force compared to 5.9% provincially.  Increases each year in the district have been measured by a greater number of building permits being taken out for both residential single housing and multi-unit housing.  In the District of Sechelt alone, there are over 500 units being constructed between a combination of single residential housing, of varying lot size and multi-unit housing currently.  Construction is expected to peak by 2014, although many development projects are still at the development application stage with the District of Sechelt and could potentially still move forward.[v] 

From the perspective of the labour market, a large retirement community offers a different set of employment variables.  Stresses are placed in the community when trying to meet the gaps in service due to demographic challenges.  Currently, labour shortages are being experienced in the healthcare sector, even though health care and social services comprise 12.3% of the labour force as compared top 9.9% provincially. [vi]

Not withstanding quality of life issues and how income levels play a factor in retirement, the community is bound to change dramatically in meeting the needs of seniors at all economic levels covering transportation, health, cultural, recreational and social needs.  The labour market will invariably rise up to these demands through a combination of both public and private sector over the next 5-10 years.  

Quick Facts about Sechelt 

• 45% of individuals are not participating in the labour force (compared to 35% for the provincial average)
• 52% of individuals are employed over the total population (compared to 60% for the provincial average)
• 23% receive pension income as their source of income (compared to 12.3% for the provincial average)
• 23% of population is 65 years ad older (compared with 13% for the provincial average)[vii]

[i] Statcan – census 2006

[vii] Bcstats.gov.bc.ca

Skills Shortages on the Sunshine Coast

Skills Shortages on the Sunshine Coast

Construction jobs on the coast are just the tip of the iceberg

Has anyone noticed the amount of building lately?  One doesn’t have to look far to realize that the Sunshine Coast is in the midst of a huge expansion where every community from Gibsons to Pender Harbour is under construction and will be experiencing population growth over the next 5 – 10 years.  

Our experience on the Sunshine Coast is not unlike what’s happening in the Lower Mainland.  According to Statistics Canada, the BC Construction Industry will have experienced an increase for a fourth straight year.  BC over the past year has recorded the fastest growth in all of Canada and employment trends like these have not been seen for 35 years since the late 1960s. 

Just to get a sense of how vast the construction field is a broad list would include:

• Architecture

• Land clearing and excavation

• Building trades (foundations, carpentry, electrical, drywall, plumbing, tile setting, roofing, insulation

• Engineering technology

• Design

• Landscaping

• And surveying 

Manufacturing for the housing industry also exists on the Sunshine Coast in the form of specialized woodworking (cabinet making, window and door manufacturing), and log home construction.

Not only are all these occupations under pressure to keep up with the demand, but individuals currently working in the trades are also setting themselves up for the future with steady employment for years to come. The Industry Training Authority has reported that apprenticeships are up 80% over where they were just two years ago which includes numbers of trainees, apprentices and businesses willing to sponsor them.  This is good news as the average age for tradesmen is 55 years old. 

To find out more information about the trades in general, visit the website www.itabc.ca known as the Industry Training Authority to learn about apprenticeships, education and work prospects. 

To find employment on the Sunshine Coast in construction, here is a small cheat sheet to help:

• Look up names of companies in the telephone book and inquire if help is needed.

• Go to jobsites and speak with the general contractor.  Best time to go is first thing in the morning and not at the end of the day.

• Go to the SCRD, Town of Gibsons and District of Sechelt to find out where permits have been issued for renovations projects.

• Read all the newspapers and publications on the coast.  Not everyone has advertised in the telephone book.

• Talk to building supply stores which may also include supply stores for individualized trades (i.e. plumbing supply and electrical supply).

• When reading news articles about new projects coming to the coast, take note of the developer’s name to contact them for possible employment.

• Network with everyone you know, your friends, family, neighbors, - everyone has their own set of contacts in the community.

• Put together a basic tool kit which would include, tool belt, tape measure, pliers, hammer, utility knife, ear protection, safety glasses, hard hat and steel toe boots (if possible).

• Learn what you can about safety, using tools and above all practice using a tape measure.

• Stay healthy; working in construction is physical work.   

Nursing Type Jobs, Anyone?

Nursing Type Jobs, Anyone?

By Noni Weitz

This article is the first of a new monthly employment service focusing on labour market conditions and trends facing the Sunshine Coast. This month’s article will draw attention to the nursing occupation and related healthcare positions currently available in the community.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away.  This old adage is timely as healthcare is stretched at the seams on the Sunshine Coast not only due to shortages of healthcare professionals as has been reported in our local paper only recently, but also due to our aging population.  In the labour market healthcare occupations face a double hit for shortages as not only are more professionals needed in the workforce to service the aging population, but they themselves are retiring and the needs for replacement due to attrition is 2/3^rd greater than job creation.[i] At our local level, we are facing the healthcare pinch as the Sunshine Coast ranks as the third highest percentage of persons 65+ for our share of the population in the province.[ii]

On a local level, Help on the Way, a private home support agency states that they are in desperate need of Home Support Workers.  Help on the Way, also hires Housekeepers and Companions to compliment the home support service.  Although, the company states currently they are able to meet the need in the community, but often experiences periods when staffing numbers are not sufficient.[iii]

Christensen Village, a privately run care home in coordination with Vancouver Coastal Health, has several openings for Healthcare Aides (known also as Resident Care Attendant) either casual, part time and full time.   Christensen Village is a newly built complex that has houses up to 140 residents in various levels of care.  Although the centre opened in 2004, opening up additional resident care spaces in the community from the former Kiwanis Care Home complex, the care facility is filled to capacity in addition to needing more healthcare aides on staff.  Although the Client Service Manager, Liz Dutton was not available for an interview, Christensen Village is recruiting HealthCare Aide positions including casual, part time.[iv]

Upon viewing Vancouver Coastal Health website, St. Mary’s Hospital has currently 10 positions advertised for Home Support/Resident Care Attendant. These positions refer to openings working in the community as a Home Support Worker as well as at the care homes Totem Lodge and Shorncliffe as Resident Care Attendants. The next graduating class from Capilano College will lessen some of the current labour market stresses and will graduate 20 individuals in June 2007 under the HS/RCA certificate program;[v] however this class will only potentially supply 20 new applicants to the community and will not address any future need for growth with the occupation.  Home Support and Resident Care Attendants are indeed an occupation for large growth for years to come.  At the present time, Capilano College has not announced a new HS/RCA program for 2008. 

The next level of nursing is Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).  Licensed Practical Nurses are employed at the hospital and as well as in the long term care facilities. According to Kirsten Rowe,[vi] LPNs are not being recruited for St. Mary’s Hospital at the present time; however, casual positions are available.  The current policy is to not turn away any interested LPN candidate and St. Mary’s Hospital Human Resources will meet and interview with all potential candidates.  LPNs are also employed at Christensen Village and there are current openings for casual, part time and full time positions.[vii] It is unclear how many actual positions are available; however, the shortage at Christensen Village mirrors the provincial labour market trend for this occupation. 

Labour market trends for Licensed Practical Nurses indicate that approximately 2355 positions will become available provincially up to 2011.  The level of available positions is attributed to both job creation (1/3^rd and replacement of retiring workers 2/3^rd).[viii] With this trend in mind, Capilano College is planning to launch a part time Licensed Practical Nursing Access program that will enable individuals who are already working in the field as a Resident Care Attendant to upgrade their qualifications on a part time basis.  This program will be offered in this format as to not create any further gaps in service by adding to further job shortage for the local community. This program is expected to launch in 2008.[ix]

Also interviewed for this article was Donna Jepsen[x] who is employed at the local Health Care Unit in Gibsons.  Ms. Jepsen stated that only full degree nurses are hired for the community health care centres on the Sunshine Coast and that they have never experienced difficulty filling available positions for community nursing. Although, the working conditions and environment is different for community nursing as opposed to hospital nursing, nursing baccalaureate programs in the province cover both spectrums in the course curriculums. 

With regards to addressing the general shortage of nurses in the province, Ms. Jepsen offered the model which is currently being practiced in some primary healthcare centres in Vancouver.  Registered Nurses are working in a multi-disciplinary model alongside physicians, social workers, nurse practitioners to provide primary care.  Nurses who are being hired are considered “full scope” which means that they are able to offer services that are also delivered by physicians, but have the authority from doctors and are overseen to perform these procedures.  Currently nurses are governed by the Health Professions Act and it is under this act that regulations are set forth for what services nurses are able to provide in healthcare.  Because of the pressure experienced by waiting lists and future demands from our healthcare system, new approaches to medical service delivery are being considered in conjunction with policy changes and delegated authority.[xi] According to Ms. Jepsen, “these are exciting times for nursing.”  Total openings projected for Registered Nursing in the province is 12,020 up to 2011, approximately 1200 per year on average.  These are interesting times indeed.