News & Events

Much has been written about labour shortages in British Columbia's construction and service professions, but another sector, where wages often hit the six-figure range, is desperately short of people.

Technologists, technicians and technical specialists are retiring in record numbers, and industries will need to replace them. The newly formed Technology Education & Careers Council (TECC) estimates that by 2010, there will be a 70 per cent shortfall in supervisors, managers and contractors in trades and technologies.

Currently thee are about 50,000 people working in these positions in B.C., representing $5 billion in direct economic impact in the province. They work in bioscience, engineering, IT, building design, construction, electronics, environmental fields, telecommunications, manufacturing and mining, and positions range from technical work to project management.

Sandy Innes, vice president of Human Resources for Telus, said that 60 per cent of the company's 2,500 B.C. technicians are eligible to retire in the next eight years. Innes said the problem is particularly felt outside the Lower Mainland.

"We're really feeling the pinch finding qualified candidates in the regions," said Innes, adding that the company has experienced this problem for the last two years, and expects "to feel it for quite a few years."

Innes said wages usually start at the $70,000 to $80,000 range for a front-line technician, but can run into the six figures for project managers and engineers.

"These are very well-paying jobs and they're rewarding careers," said Innes. "When a customer comes to you and says, 'Can you help me?' and you're able to provide them a technology solution that meets their needs . . . it can be rewarding."

Telus spokesperson Shawn Hall said the company has re-hired on contracts retired technicians so that they can train new technicians, technologists and engineers who have joined the company.

Compounding the problem is the fact that post-secondary institutions have cut or reduced space in their technology programs due to lack of enrolment. Innes said that some colleges in the interior have shut down their telecom programs in favour of general electronic programs.

Allison Markin, media relations manager for the B.C. Institute of Technology, said her school's enrolment fluctuates by about two per cent each year, but there are some areas that have have fallen more than others.

"We've noticed some softening in high-tech, computers and engineering," said Markin. "We work with groups like the ASTTBC [Applied Science Technologists & Technicians of British Columbia] to figure out what is the demand, what is the training and what do we need to be doing to address the need for workers in all areas.

"We know that these days people are opting to go to work because jobs are plentiful. On the flip side, to come and get an education or upgrade your training makes your earning potential higher."

Telus and other companies are trying to promote technology at the high school level to get students interested in the field.

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