With significant growth projected in the industrial sector in the northwest, the tourism sector is going to need thousands of new people to fill vacant positions.
That was the conclusion of go2hr, the group responsible for coordinating the BC Tourism Labour Market Strategy, which projects 3,810 job openings are expected in northern B.C. by 2020. And while that may be seven years away, go2hr expects shortages could begin to be seen as early as 2014.
"The northern B.C. region faces specific pressures within our industry," said Arlene Keis, CEO of go2hr.
"Unemployment is already tightening up in the region, particularly in the Northeast, and the expanding mining, oil and gas sectors are enticing young workers to take positions, creating an added strain on the tourism providers in the region."
One Prince Rupert hotelier said the impact of this industrial growth is already being seen in the community.
"With the growth of our industry alongside the resource and forestry industries, tourism businesses in northern BC are already experiencing labour pressures and shortages," said Scott Farwell, manager of Crest Hotel.
"As our industry expands, these pressures will increase, resulting in a need for us to attract qualified and enthusiastic staff for various positions within the hotel."
The research was funded in part through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement.