Canada Immigration News Summary: British Columbia Identifies 125 High-Opportunity Jobs to 2035
British Columbia has released updated labour market projections identifying 125 high-opportunity occupations expected to remain in demand through 2035. These occupations account for around 40% of all projected job openings in the province over the next decade, making the update especially relevant for skilled workers and immigration applicants considering B.C.
This outlook does not change immigration rules, but it helps explain why certain occupations continue to be prioritized in provincial and employer-driven pathways. It also highlights the growing importance of post-secondary education and skills training in the province’s labour market.
British Columbia Labour Market Overview (2025–2035)
According to official projections published by WorkBC and the Government of British Columbia, employment in the province is expected to grow steadily over the next ten years.
Key projections include:
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Employment growth from approximately 2.9 million jobs in late 2025 to about 3.3 million jobs by 2035
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Over 1 million job openings expected between 2025 and 2035
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77% of job openings will require post-secondary education, training, or certification
Official source:
WorkBC – B.C. Labour Market Outlook (2025–2035)
https://www.workbc.ca/research-labour-market/bc-labour-market-outlook
Government of British Columbia news release:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025PSFS0043-001078
Unemployment Rate and Labour Market Strength
The latest data from Statistics Canada shows that British Columbia’s labour market remains relatively strong compared to other provinces.
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B.C. unemployment rate: 6.1% in November 2025 (seasonally adjusted)
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National unemployment rate: 6.8% in December 2025
While unemployment has increased slightly across Canada, B.C. continues to sit below the national average, indicating tighter labour conditions in many occupations.
Official sources:
Statistics Canada – Labour Force Survey (December 2025)
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/260109/dq260109a-eng.htm
WorkBC – Labour Market Monthly Update
https://www.workbc.ca/research-labour-market/bcs-economy/labour-market-monthly-update
What Are “High-Opportunity” Occupations in British Columbia?
High-opportunity occupations are identified using a multi-factor assessment, not just job growth alone. The B.C. Labour Market Outlook evaluates occupations based on:
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Projected number of job openings
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Employment growth trends
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Labour market tightness (difficulty filling positions)
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Occupation-specific unemployment rates
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Wage levels and earning stability
Only occupations that score well across all indicators are classified as high opportunity. This approach helps filter out short-term hiring spikes and focuses on sustained, long-term demand.
Official source:
WorkBC – High Opportunity Occupations
https://www.workbc.ca/research-labour-market/high-opportunity-occupations
TEER Categories and Skill Requirements
All 125 high-opportunity occupations fall under TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 of Canada’s National Occupational Classification system. These categories generally require:
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TEER 0: Management experience
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TEER 1: University-level education
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TEER 2–3: College diplomas, apprenticeships, or technical training
This is important because most economic immigration programs, including provincial nominee streams, focus on these TEER levels.
Official reference:
Government of Canada – National Occupational Classification (NOC) & TEER
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/national-occupational-classification.html
Occupation Groups with Strong Representation
While the full list includes 125 occupations, high-opportunity roles are most common in:
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Healthcare and social assistance
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Construction and skilled trades
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Engineering and applied sciences
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Information technology and digital occupations
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Education and early childhood services
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Business, finance, and management roles
Applicants should focus on exact NOC and TEER alignment, not just job titles, when assessing relevance for immigration pathways.
Why This Matters for Immigration Applicants
Labour market outlooks help governments and employers plan, but they do not guarantee immigration selection. High-opportunity occupations may influence:
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Provincial nomination priorities
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Occupation-targeted draws
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Employer demand for foreign workers
However, immigration decisions still depend on:
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Program eligibility rules
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Quotas and annual allocations
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Language proficiency
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Credential recognition
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Work experience requirements
If you are applying through a provincial pathway, you should review how your occupation is treated under that specific stream rather than relying on demand projections alone.
Reality Check: Important Limitations
This outlook is most useful for:
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Skilled workers with post-secondary education or trades certification
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International graduates planning long-term settlement in B.C.
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Applicants comparing provinces based on labour market stability
This information should be used cautiously if:
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Your occupation falls outside TEER 0–3
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Your experience is not easily transferable to Canadian standards
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You are relying on job demand without meeting immigration requirements
British Columbia’s high-opportunity job list provides direction, not certainty. For immigration planning, it should always be considered alongside official program criteria and current government policies.
