These areas will see the most job openings in B.C. over the next 10 years

Millennials are the fastest growing demographic of workers in B.C. and, over the next 10 years, they’ll have one million jobs to choose from, with the biggest opportunities in health care and the science and tech sector.

That’s according to the latest figures in B.C.’s labour market outlook, released Wednesday.

Of the million job openings over the next decade, health care and social assistance, and professional, scientific and technical services will provide the most opportunities, with nearly 150,000 jobs available in each sector. That’s followed by the retail trade, construction and educational services.

B.C. will have 3.1 million workers by 2032, up from the current 2.7 million. The labour shortage, which has seen some businesses scale back hours or close entirely because of lack of staff, is expected to continue, however, with 81,500 positions forecast to remain open in the next decade.

Selina Robinson, B.C.’s minister of post-secondary education and future skills, said while the labour market points to “significant job opportunities for people over the next decade, we also know this represents a challenge for employers … and local labour shortages are having a big impact here in British Columbia.”