Report suggests a gap in B.C.’s ‘sustainable workforce planning’

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A recent report suggests gaps in B.C.’s “sustainable workforce planning” threaten its clean energy future. 

According to an April 2026 report published by the Pembina Institute, labour shortages in sectors and regions in B.C. are slowing the province’s low-carbon transition. 

The report said the workforce is “aging” and younger workers are not replacing retirees quickly enough. 

In the energy and natural resources sector, the workforce largely consists of older white men, according to the report, which it said can make it harder for workers from equity-deserving groups to envision themselves pursuing careers in these industries. 

In a media release, the Pembina Institute said over 600,000 skilled workers are expected to retire this decade across Canada. In the last 10 years, job vacancies in B.C.’s trades have risen by 47 per cent, according to the release.  

According to the release, the report said training systems are “not always aligned with labour market demand,” creating gaps between available skills and emerging jobs. It also said there is limited coordination between employers, educators and the government. 

Rod Cork, Dean of Trades and Apprenticeship Programs at Northern Lights College, said the college’s faculty takes the time to teach “what isn’t in a textbook,” such as work ethic, professional practice and accountability, specifically for young students who have not had significant time in the industry. 

Northern Lights College is a post secondary intuition in Northern B.C. which offers trades and apprentice training that reflects industry demands in Northern B.C. with campuses in Chetwynd, Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Fort Nelson and Tumbler Ridge, it said on its website. 

Cork said the post-secondary institution offers a range of apprentice training and skilled trades foundations, including construction electrician, automatic service technician, heavy mechanical trades, carpentry, plumbing and more.

According to Cork, each program area has an active program advisory committee (PAC), groups which he said are “the platform for the sharing of industry-relevant information,” as well as the tool the college uses in order to ensure they are connecting with regional needs and adapting training to be sure students leave the classroom with job-ready skills. 

A PAC is a group of industry and community professionals who provide the institution with feedback regarding the alignment of training to regional needs, Cork said. A PAC is meant to include industry professionals, individuals employed in the area of study, and often includes a student or two, as well as a potential guest from any regulatory body associated with a certain program area. 

Cork said the college will be adding increased capacity and new training in the region in the upcoming training year. 

The new training will include additional electrical and heavy mechanical trades apprenticeship classes, a new steam fitter and pipefitter apprenticeship in Dawson Creek and crane operator apprenticeship training in Chetwynd. 

It will also explore opportunities to train students in the fields of industrial labourer, welders’ helper, instrumentation, and Global Wind Organisation (GWO) certified Wind-Turbine technician, according to Cork. 

The college is also offering aircraft maintenance engineering, power engineering, esthetics and training for new field operators as part of the Field Operations Specialist Hydrocarbon Resources Program, according to Cork. 

For more information on available trades and apprenticeship programs at Northern Lights College, visit the website.