A 2019 study of the labour market in the Cariboo Chilcotin region identified skilled workers as a critical missing piece of the regional economy. Over 1200 survey responses were gathered as part of the data collection. Regional employers, job seekers, and people from across the country offered their perspectives on labour trends and future job needs in the Cariboo Chilcotin.

Findings of the Cariboo Chilcotin labour market study include:

• At least 1835 new workers will be needed over the next 5 years
• The healthcare sector has the biggest shortfall of applicants to current job postings
• Post-secondary education will be a key qualification for 78% of future jobs
• BC and the Cariboo Chilcotin are considered desirable places to live by out-of-province respondents
• Both employers and job seekers cite difficulties finding childcare and housing as major obstacles.

Implementation of the tactics and strategies identified in the report will be the next phase of the project. Key actions will include:

• An annual survey of employer job demand
• Training and retraining initiatives
• Marketing and recruitment campaign for workers in key sectors (eg. healthcare)
• support for important supporting factors (rental housing, expanded broadband capability, regional post-secondary institutions)