Vancouver Island and Coast Economic Region
Workforce Insights
Key Insights
Employment
decreased by 600 jobs
from the previous month and
decreased by 3,800 jobs
compared to the same month last year.
Full-time Employment
increased by 2,200 jobs
from the previous month and
decreased by 6,100 jobs
year-over-year.
Part-time Employment
decreased by 2,800 jobs
from the previous month and
increased by 2,200 jobs
year-over-year.
Unemployment
increased by 2,500 people
from the previous month and
increased by 9,500 people
compared to the same month last year.
Workforce Composition by Status
In the most recent month,
Full-time Employment
increased by 2,200 jobs
from last month and
decreased by 6,100 jobs
compared to the same month last year.
Part-time Employment
decreased by 2,800 jobs
from last month and
increased by 2,200 jobs
year-over-year.
The number of
Unemployed
individuals
increased by 2,500 people
from the previous month and
increased by 9,500 people
compared to last year.
Scroll down to explore the data
Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate
The
Employment Rate
decreased by 1.3 percentage points
from a year ago.
The
Unemployment Rate
increased by 1.9 percentage points
from a year ago.
The
Participation Rate
decreased by 0.2 percentage points
year-over-year.
Jobs Added or Lost by Month
Employment levels
decreased by 600 jobs
from the previous month and
decreased by 3,800 jobs
compared to the same month last year.
In the most recent month, employment
decreased by 600 jobs
.
Over the last year, the labor market has
decreased by 3,800 jobs
.
Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector
Construction
:
43,900
workers.
Manufacturing
:
17,600
workers.
Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas
:
9,500
workers.
The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Construction, Manufacturing, and Agriculture, which together account for a substantial share of the workforce.
Top 3 Industries in Services Sector
Health care and social assistance
:
84,300
workers.
Wholesale and retail trade
:
65,700
workers.
Public administration
:
48,900
workers.
In the Services sector, Health Care, Retail, and Professional Services lead employment, representing a dominant portion of the workforce.
Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month
Educational services
: Change of
3,200
workers (
decreased by
8.21
%).
Manufacturing
: Change of
2,100
workers (
decreased by
10.66
%).
Wholesale and retail trade
: Change of
2,100
workers (
decreased by
3.1
%).
Health care and social assistance
: Change of
1,800
workers (
decreased by
2.09
%).
Information, culture and recreation
: Change of
1,500
workers (
increased by
8.82
%).
These industries saw the largest month-over-month changes, indicating short-term trends.
Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year
Accommodation and food services
: Change of
7,700
workers (
decreased by
18.2
%).
Health care and social assistance
: Change of
7,000
workers (
increased by
9.06
%).
Information, culture and recreation
: Change of
5,900
workers (
decreased by
24.18
%).
Wholesale and retail trade
: Change of
5,800
workers (
increased by
9.68
%).
Professional, scientific and technical services
: Change of
5,700
workers (
decreased by
13.04
%).
The year-over-year changes provide insights into longer-term shifts, highlighting industries that have grown or declined significantly.
Conclusion
Employment has seen a decline over the year, highlighting some challenges in the job market.
Key industries driving the trend are: Construction, Wholesale and retail trade, Professional, scientific and technical services, Health care and social assistance, Public administration.
Local Workforce Insights
Key Local Labour Market Insights
Total local employment registered 13,320 in May 2025, it declined by 430 jobs from April and showed a decline of 190 jobs year-over-year.
The local employment rate registered 56.5%. It declined of 1.8 percentage points
from April and decreased by 1.1 percentage points from same month last year.
Local unemployment rate is 5.4%. It contracted by 2.1 percentage points month-over-month, and grew by 0.8 percentage points year-over-year.
Employment Trends
Total employment in May 2025 was 13,320, showing a significant decrease of 430. compared to May, employment levels declined by 190, facing headwinds.
Scroll down to explore more data
Employment Rate Dynamics
The employment rate reached 56.5% in May 2025. This represents a decline of 1.8 percentage points from April (58.3%). Year-over-year, the rate decreased by 1.1 percentage points from 57.6%.
Unemployment Rate Trends
The unemployment rate was 5.4% in May 2025, down 2.1 percentage points from April. Compared to May last year (4.6%), the rate has increased by 0.8 percentage points.
Employment: Regional vs Local Patterns
The moderate correlation (0.33) between regional and local employment levels indicates some alignment in employment trends. This suggests that local employment partially reflects regional patterns.
Employment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns
Employment rates show a weak correlation (0.29) between regional and local levels. This suggests distinct local employment rate patterns, suggesting that local labor market conditions operate independently.
Unemployment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns
The unemployment rate correlation of 0.23 shows a weak relationship. This points to distinct local unemployment dynamics, indicating that local unemployment follows its own distinct pattern.
Port Alberni
consists of the following communities:
Port Alberni, Alberni-Clayoquot D, Alberni-Clayoquot E, Alberni-Clayoquot F, Ahahswinis 1, Alberni 2, Tsahaheh 1, Klehkoot 2
.
Updated monthly, local monthly workforce trends focus on total employment,
and employment unemployment rates estimates at "small-area" level.
Port Alberni
consists of the following communities:
Port Alberni, Alberni-Clayoquot D, Alberni-Clayoquot E, Alberni-Clayoquot F, Ahahswinis 1, Alberni 2, Tsahaheh 1, Klehkoot 2
.
Scroll down to explore the data
Local area
Employment Trends
Total employment in May 2025 was 13,320, showing a significant decrease of 430. compared to May, employment levels declined by 190, facing headwinds.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey July, 2025
Local area
Employment Rate Dynamics
The employment rate reached 56.5% in May 2025. This represents a decline of 1.8 percentage points from April (58.3%). Year-over-year, the rate decreased by 1.1 percentage points from 57.6%.
Unemployment Rate Trends
The unemployment rate was 5.4% in May 2025, down 2.1 percentage points from April. Compared to May last year (4.6%), the rate has increased by 0.8 percentage points.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey July, 2025
Local area
Employment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns
Employment rates show a weak correlation (0.29) between regional and local levels. This suggests distinct local employment rate patterns, suggesting that local labor market conditions operate independently.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey July, 2025
Local area
Unemployment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns
The unemployment rate correlation of 0.23 shows a weak relationship. This points to distinct local unemployment dynamics, indicating that local unemployment follows its own distinct pattern.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey July, 2025
Economic region
Workforce Composition by Status
In the most recent month,
Full-time Employment
increased by 2,200 jobs
from last month and
decreased by 6,100 jobs
compared to the same month last year.
Part-time Employment
decreased by 2,800 jobs
from last month and
increased by 2,200 jobs
year-over-year.
The number of
Unemployed
individuals
increased by 2,500 people
from the previous month and
increased by 9,500 people
compared to last year.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey July, 2025
Economic region
Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate
The
Employment Rate
decreased by 1.3 percentage points
from a year ago.
The
Unemployment Rate
increased by 1.9 percentage points
from a year ago.
The
Participation Rate
decreased by 0.2 percentage points
year-over-year.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey July, 2025
Economic region
Jobs Added or Lost by Month
Employment levels
decreased by 600 jobs
from the previous month and
decreased by 3,800 jobs
compared to the same month last year.
In the most recent month, employment
decreased by 600 jobs
.
Over the last year, the labor market has
decreased by 3,800 jobs
.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey July, 2025
Economic region
Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector
Construction
:
43,900
workers.
Manufacturing
:
17,600
workers.
Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas
:
9,500
workers.
The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Construction, Manufacturing, and Agriculture, which together account for a substantial share of the workforce.
Top 3 Industries in Services Sector
Health care and social assistance
:
84,300
workers.
Wholesale and retail trade
:
65,700
workers.
Public administration
:
48,900
workers.
In the Services sector, Health Care, Retail, and Professional Services lead employment, representing a dominant portion of the workforce.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey July, 2025
Economic region
Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month
Educational services
: Change of
3,200
workers (
decreased by
8.21
%).
Manufacturing
: Change of
2,100
workers (
decreased by
10.66
%).
Wholesale and retail trade
: Change of
2,100
workers (
decreased by
3.1
%).
Health care and social assistance
: Change of
1,800
workers (
decreased by
2.09
%).
Information, culture and recreation
: Change of
1,500
workers (
increased by
8.82
%).
These industries saw the largest month-over-month changes, indicating short-term trends.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey July, 2025
Economic region
Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year
Accommodation and food services
: Change of
7,700
workers (
decreased by
18.2
%).
Health care and social assistance
: Change of
7,000
workers (
increased by
9.06
%).
Information, culture and recreation
: Change of
5,900
workers (
decreased by
24.18
%).
Wholesale and retail trade
: Change of
5,800
workers (
increased by
9.68
%).
Professional, scientific and technical services
: Change of
5,700
workers (
decreased by
13.04
%).
The year-over-year changes provide insights into longer-term shifts, highlighting industries that have grown or declined significantly.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey July, 2025
Economic region
Conclusion
Employment has seen a decline over the year, highlighting some challenges in the job market.
Key industries driving the trend are: Construction, Wholesale and retail trade, Professional, scientific and technical services, Health care and social assistance, Public administration.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey July, 2025
Employment rate Provincial Comparison
Among 84 small areas in British Columbia, Port Alberni ranks 46th with an employment rate of 56.5%. The provincial range is 40.8% to 71.8%, with half of areas between 52.5% and 62.1% (median: 57.3%).
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey July, 2025
Unemployment rate Provincial Comparison
Among 84 small areas in British Columbia, Port Alberni ranks 5th with an unemployment rate of 5.4%. The provincial range is 4.7% to 13.9%, with half of areas between 6.0% and 8.1% (median: 6.8%).
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey July, 2025
Vancouver Island and Coast Economic region — Labour Market Outlook
Total Job Openings
Most Job Openings
Job openings and employment by occupation and industry for the period 2024-2034
Forecasted number of new job openings in the period 2024-2034
Loading...
Data source: Labour Market Analytics, Forecasting & Information
Forecasted employment in the period 2024-2034
Loading...
Data source: Labour Market Analytics, Forecasting & Information
High-opportunity occupations
High opportunity occupations by NOC based on forecasted number of job openings in the period 2024-2034
Data source: Labour Market Analytics, Forecasting & Information
BC workforce supply composition for the period 2024-2034
Forecasted number of new job market entrants in the period 2024-2034
Loading...
Data source: Labour Market Analytics, Forecasting & Information
These job openings provide a forecast for the demand for labour
with the associated education background. This is a demand projection only
and is not a measure of how many graduates the B.C. education system needs to produce.
These job openings are projected to be supplied through a mix of young
B.C. residents starting work after being educated either in B.C. or
other jurisdictions, immigrants, migrants from other provinces,
or existing residents pursuing additional education.
Planners should take these other possible sources of supply into account
when using these projections for post-secondary program planning purposes.
