Job Growth for Engineers Strongest in Western Canada

TORONTO, March 7, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ – The job market for engineers is
strongest in western Canada according to data in the 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 job growth in that sector in British
Columbia, Alberta, and the prairie provinces.

Here are some highlights:

        --  Saskatechewan - Engineering markets in Saskatchewan are more
            cyclical and more varied, 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 B.C., 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 behing national
            trends and may contribute to a tight labour market;

        --  British Columbia - One of the two strongest engineering markets
            in Canada, B.C. 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. B.C 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. Alberta specifically has lagged behind national
trends in enrolments in engineering programs and an additional 900
engineers are needed annually to balance market demand. In Manitoba,
increased construction activity, in particular in electricity
generation and transmission, is leading to increased need for qualified
engineers.

“Employers in British Columbia will need to source engineers from other
markets for much of the coming decade,” said Stephen McCrum, Vice
President, Western Canada, Randstad Engineering. “The focus will be on
specialized and experienced engineers to replace retiring workers.” The
average age of employers in British Columbia is higher than in other
provinces, raising replacement demand.

“In Saskatchewan specifically, engineering markets are in a state of
flux,” McCrum said. “It is a small market, with big project demands
that come and go. Local engineering programs are not meeting the
cyclical demands of the market as Canadians from other provinces seek
engineering jobs in Saskatchewan.”

The report suggests that markets will function better if human resources
planning for engineers includes;

        --  Retaining older engineers in the workforce longer and adding to
            programs to accelerate on-the-job training of new graduates,
        --  Adapting post-secondary programs to meet the specialized needs
            of employers,
        --  Increasing the supply of engineers in western Canada, through
            post-secondary programs and immigration.

The report takes an in-depth look at the country’s current and projected
engineering labour market conditions. It includes a detailed forecast
of markets and key projects, along with changes in output and
employment across Canada, from 2011 to 2020. It also features a
thorough outlook that factors in economic and industry growth along
with retirements and skill sets. It includes economic background with a
detailed forecast of international conditions, commodity and financial
markets, and a list of key industrial, resource, infrastructure, and
other projects.

Randstad Engineering is Canada’s leader in Engineering Recruitment and
Workforce Solutions. http://randstad.ca/engineering/

About Randstad Canada: Randstad Canada is the Canadian leader for staffing, recruitment and HR
Services. As the only fully integrated staffing company in the country,
we understand the recruitment needs and demands of employers and job
seekers across all levels and industries. Through our insightful
knowledge of local markets, employment trends and global network of
recruitment experts, we are shaping the Canadian world of work. Visit randstad.ca

SOURCE RANDSTAD CANADA