Did you know?

Mining is one of the fastest growing industries in Canada! Mining is also one of the highest paying industrial sectors nationwide.

In Canada, over the next ten years, an estimated 92,000 new workers will be needed to meet current and future industry needs
and to fill positions vacated by retirees.  The situation in British Columbia’s mineral exploration and mining sector, including service
and supply companies, is even more acute, with an estimated need for 15,000 additional workers over the same period. Further to
this, there will be an estimated 7,500 new job openings in the mineral exploration and mining industry in BC through 2012.

PricewaterhouseCoopers' annual BC mining industry survey for 2007 reported that employment salary and benefits for the industry totalled $755 million in 2007.  This reflects an increase in average salary and benefits per employee from $99,900 in 2006 to $101,900 in 2007!

The BC mining industy, regarded as the safest heavy industry in the province, includes the 20 major operating coal, metal and aggregate mines. The B.C. mineral exploration and mining sector impacts directly, and indirectly, over 100,000 jobs in the province – almost 1 in every 20 jobs. A lack of  skilled workers threatens the significant economic contributions from the B.C. mineralexploration and mining sector.

With over 120 occupations to choose from, the perfect job could be waiting for you!

Top Careers in Demand in British Columbia

BC mineral exploration and mining companies have identified the ten top occupations withing the province that face the highest challenges in recruitment and retention, both now and in the next five years. The top ten occupations are:

• Geologists
• Mining Engineers
• Accountants
• Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanics
• Electricians (surface)
• Metallurgical Engineers
• Millwrights
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Chiefs, Managers & Superintendents
• Mechanical Engineers
• Mining Supervisors

For more information on employment outlooks visit the Government of Canada Job Futures website.
Occupational information related to mining can also be found on the National Occupational Classification (NOC) website.