Top Demand Trades

According to B.C.’s Labour Market Outlook: 2023 Edition (pdf), a variety of industries are expected to have over 85,000 job openings in the skilled trades over the next 10 years. These occupations require on-the-job training and in-class training and offer excellent earning potential.

See the 15 trades with the largest number of job openings below. Learn more about each of these trades, including education, training and qualification requirements, annual earnings, the annual employment growth rate, and so much more.

Discover how you can participate in B.C.’s growing economy and begin your journey toward a rewarding career in the skilled trades.

Labour Market Outlook 2023 - Top Trades Occupations

Job Openings

2023-2033

Cooks

8,800

Carpenters

8,500

Construction trades helpers and labourers

8,000

General building maintenance workers and building superintendents

5,600

Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers

5,100

Hairstylists and barbers

4,500

Heavy equipment operators

4,300

Bakers

3,400

Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment)

3,000

Electricians (except industrial and power system)

2,900

Welders and related machine operators

2,700

Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics

2,600

Heavy-duty equipment mechanics

2,300

Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)

2,200

Plumbers

2,100

Learn about SkilledTradesBC’s (STBC) Top in-Demand Trades. STBC bases their top in-demand trades on several criteria, including: Labour Market Outlook Information, apprenticeship registration and trends, industry feedback and historical and forecasted training seat requirements.

Discover trades training in the K-12 school system with STBC’s Youth Programs.
 
Check out STBC’s trades success stories.
 
Find a trade program or search for a seat by program or institution with Trades Training BC.
 
Learn about the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program, which sets common standards to assess the skill of tradespeople across Canada. A Red Seal endorsement indicates that a tradesperson has demonstrated the knowledge required for their skilled trade.