25 May 2008 TechTalentBC Labour Study 2008

TechTalentBC Labour Study 2008

Conducted between September 25 and October 17, 2007, the 2008 TechTalentBC study indicates that BC’s technology sector is very bullish on their continued growth, with headcount predicted to grow more than 15.1% between September 1, 2007, and September 1, 2008. These findings are in line with the results of the 2006 TechTalentBC Labour Demand study, which predicted a bullish 14.6% increase in headcount for the period of September 2006 to September 2007.

With a base of approximately 69,000 technology jobs (not including the 6,500 employees in motion picture production and post‐production), a growth of 15% will create approximately 10,000 net new jobs in the industry. Although the actual headcount prediction is typically an optimistic projection (companies tend to assume that they will hit their requisite milestone targets and be able to find the talent they require when they need it), it indicates confidence in both the prospects for individual companies and the industry as a whole.

One company’s gain typically creates an unpredicted vacancy at another local company, particularly as the vast majority of hiring is done locally. Assuming that the 2006 trend holds true and that the required talent can be found, the BC technology industry can expect to add at least another 5,000 net new jobs by Sept 1, 2008.