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Employment in Vancouver
A remarkable city attracts remarkable people, so it is no surprise that Vancouver has a growing, talented workforce.
The Vancouver region is home to the largest workforce in British Columbia, with more than 1.2 million workers, accounting for 55% of the province's total workforce.
Vancouver is a magnet for talent from across the country and around the globe; workers are drawn here by the region's expanding economy and exceptional quality of life. In the five years from 1999 to 2004, Vancouver 's workforce grew at an annual rate of 2.3%, adding 118,300 to an already strong talent pool. The workforce increased in twelve of sixteen industry sectors, led by construction with 17,100 new jobs, health care and social services with 14,300 new jobs, and education with 14,100 new jobs.
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Vancouver 's international workforce bring a depth of skills, education and experience:
66% have some form of post-secondary training, including 23% with a university degree (source: 2001 Census, Statistics Canada );
Of the 800,000 residents who have completed post-secondary education, close to 23% have training in commerce, management and business administration; 17% have training in engineering and applied science technologies and trades.
BC's universities produce more than 17,000 graduates each year, including 4,000 students in engineering and sciences, and 1,400 students in commerce and business administration (source: University Presidents Council) ;
58% of area residents are proficient in a language other than English, adding to cross-cultural communication and international connections (source: Statistics Canada, 2001 Census);
26% of Vancouver 's employment base work in sales and service occupations, 20% in business, finance and administration occupations, and 12% in trades and transportation occupations. (source: Statistics Canada, 2001 Census).
Vancouver companies have a demonstrated track record of recruiting talented people from other areas in Canada, and other countries. When jobs are located where people want to live, it is easier to attract workers, and to keep them. Vancouver companies experience little difficulty in recruiting talent, even when labour markets are tight, because the city is an attractive place to live and work.
According to a 1998 Angus Reid survey, 82% of workers in Vancouver would not accept a matching job offer in another location, whereas 47% of workers living in the Toronto and Montreal areas would relocate.
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