North Coast and Nechako
Region Overview
North Coast and Nechako are actually two separate economic regions. However, because these regions are adjacent to each other and have small population sizes, the data for each region are combined to report more reliable statistics. The two regions are located in the northwest part of the province. North Coast covers the northern coastal areas of the province as well as Haida Gwaii. Prince Rupert, Terrace and Kitimat are the major centres in the region. Nechako stretches from the B.C.–Yukon border in the north down to the central Lakes District of the province and is separated from the northeastern section of the province by the Rocky Mountain Trench.
Key Facts
- North Coast and Nechako is one of the less populated regions in the province.
- The share of the region’s population of working age (15-64) is similar to the provincial share.
- North Coast and Nechako has consistently had more unemployment than most other regions of the province.
- Most of the employment in this region is in the Services-producing sector.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Employment for this Region (2023)
43,411| Full-time employment: | 82% |
| Part-time employment: | 18% |
Employment for all of B.C. (2023)
2,790,727| Full-time employment (average): | 80% |
| Part-time employment (average): | 20% |
Unemployment Rate for this Region (2023)
6.4%Unemployment Rate for all of B.C. (2023)
5.2%
10-year Unemployment Rate
Unemployment rate refers to the percentage of the population 15 years and older that are not employed.
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Total Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)
15,690Forecasted Job Openings
Composition of Job Openings
Forecasted 10-Year Total Employment Growth
4,620Forecasted Average Annual Employment Growth Rate
1.0%Forecasted Employment Growth Rate (2024 - 2034)
Top Occupations
Top occupations are those with stronger demand and offer higher pay compared to other occupations.
Industry Highlights
Services sector
The Services sector in this region accounts for a very low share of provincial employment in the region.
The Port of Prince Rupert has expanded in recent years and now has the capacity to handle container traffic. The growth of the port has created more opportunities for employment in Transportation and Warehousing, which may explain the higher than average share of employment in that industry in North Coast and Nechako.
Goods sector
This region is home to a small percentage of jobs in the Goods-producing industry (Agriculture; Forestry; Mining, Oil and Gas; Fishing, Hunting and Trapping; Utilities; Construction; and Manufacturing). Forestry and logging operations account for a large portion of employment in this sector, but there are also some large mines in the region, and fishing is an important activity on the coast.
Employment by Industry Table
| Industry | Employment (2023) | % Share of Employment for this Industry |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation and Food Services | 2,000 | 4.6% |
| Agriculture and Fishing | 146 | 0.3% |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services | 938 | 2.2% |
| Construction | 3,708 | 8.6% |
| Educational Services | 3,896 | 9.0% |
| Finance, Insurance and Real Estate | 1,333 | 3.1% |
| Forestry, Logging and Support Activities | 1,896 | 4.4% |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 5,792 | 13.4% |
| Information, Culture and Recreation | 1,083 | 2.5% |
| Manufacturing | 3,708 | 8.6% |
| Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction | 1,271 | 2.9% |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 1,688 | 3.9% |
| Public Administration | 2,062 | 4.8% |
| Repair, Personal and Non-Profit Services | 1,979 | 4.6% |
| Retail Trade | 4,958 | 11.5% |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 5,000 | 11.6% |
| Utilities | 500 | 1.2% |
| Wholesale Trade | 1,271 | 2.9% |