Prince George's workers support economic growth by playing important roles in ventures of all sizes. The workforce contributes to commercial and industrial success by offering skilled labour to drive the city's and region's economic engine. Impacts of local workers skills on the local economy include:
- Leading low-carbon initiatives in manufacturing, transportation and distribution.
- Expanding investments in transportation and other infrastructure throughout northern British Columbia.
- Assisting sustained growth in other sectors including healthcare, education and professional services.
- Helping traditional forestry and forest products manufacturing sectors evolve and diversify over time.
- Aiding the mining sector's expansion.
Workforce employed by industry
| Industry | Employed |
|---|---|
| Services-producing sector | 57,300 (71.1%) |
| Goods-producing sector | 23,300 (28.9%) |
| Health care and social assistance | 11,600 (14.4%) |
| Wholesale and retail trade | 11,000 (13.6%) |
| Manufacturing | 8,800 (10.9%) |
| Construction | 7,400 (9.2%) |
| Educational services | 5,600 (6.9%) |
| Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas | 5,600 (6.9%) |
| Accommodation and food services | 5,500 (6.8%) |
| Transportation and warehousing | 4,700 (5.8%) |
| Other services (except public administration) | 4,400 (5.5%) |
| Public administration | 3,900 (4.8%) |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 3,500 (4.3%) |
| Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing | 2,800 (3.5%) |
| Business, building and other support services | 2,300 (2.9%) |
| Information, culture and recreation | 2,000 (2.5%) |
Major employers in and around Prince George
Workforce training
Prince George is home to the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) and the College of New Caledonia (CNC) main campuses, which had an annual combined student population of around 12,300 students for the 2020-21 academic year. These institutions offer a number of programs to develop important skill sets that provide competitive advantages and prepare students for entry into the local workforce across multiple sectors.
Demographics
According to Statistics Canada, Prince George has a relatively young population compared to the rest of British Columbia. The average age in the City of Prince George is 39.4 while British Columbia's average age is 42.3 years. Moreover, 38.6 per cent of Prince George residents are 24 years old or younger. Given North America's ageing population, Prince George is positioned to provide a productive and competitive workforce in the coming years.