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Labour supply, demand ‘approximately equal’ in Manitoba through 2026: Minister

Manitoba is predicting growth of about 115,000 new jobs through 2026, with the overall labour supply and labour market demand “approximately equal,” according to Economic Development, Investment and Trade Minister Jeff Wharton.

“However, labour shortages in many occupations and sectors will continue to be a significant challenge for employers,” he said. “To help mitigate that challenge, labour market outlook data is now available in a new web-based format to help employers anticipate and address future workforce skill and supply needs.”

The report and labour market outlook data are available online to help employers and jobseekers access timely planning information and detailed data on specific occupations, the minister said.

Wharton noted that the Manitoba labour market outlook uses up-to-date trends to help students, parents, teachers, and guidance counsellors identify career opportunities and help future workers plan careers. This includes occupation-specific analysis of future job demand and information on the ability of businesses to meet that labour demand, he said.

“This information helps employers plan ahead and determine the workforce skills they will need to grow their business,” said Wharton. “It also helps jobseekers identify in-demand sectors in the province to help inform their career decisions.”

Some of the outlook’s key predictions include:

• 114,300 total job openings will be created over five years;
• occupations in sales and service, education, law, social services, community and government services, and trades, transport and equipment operation are expected to see the most openings, for a combined total of 61,900 jobs;
• industry sectors of health care and social assistance, wholesale and retail trade, and educational services are expected to see the highest demand for workers;
• 58 per cent of future job openings will require some post-secondary education and training; and
• labour market is expected to remain balanced overall, however many occupations are expected to see a shortfall of workers.