B.C. is in for a big five years.

This, said Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation is projected via a new provincial government report that predicts the number of skilled workers needed across the province will exceed the supply of workers available by 2016.

The second annual labour market outlook 2010 - 2020 report anticipates the Northeast region, which includes Fort St. John and Dawson Creek, will have the highest annual growth in demand for workers, followed by the mainland's Southwest and North Coast and the Nechako region, including the Lakes District.

According to Bell, the Nechako region will grow at a very aggressive rate.

A total of one million job openings are expected in B.C. by 2020 and new migrants are expected to fill one-third of those.

Bell also says that one-third of the job openings will be a direct result of the province's economic growth, while two-thirds will be spurred on by an aging workforce heading into retirement.

He said the largest number of job openings are anticipated in the areas of sales and service as well as trades such as carpenters, plumbers and electricians and also heavy equipment operators will be in high demand, while the health occupation group is expected to have the largest percentage increase in demand growth.

The report predicts that post secondary education will be important, with approximately 78 per cent of the available jobs over the next decade requiring some post secondary education and training or a university degree.

Bell says that while 78 per cent of future job openings will go directly to skilled workers, there will still be significant opportunities for unskilled workers to gain employment.

"Much of the Northeast region is already at full employment," he said, adding that demand will far outweigh the supply of workers over the next five years. He attributed the strong growth in the Northeast to the oil and gas industry as well as some agricultural growth.

In response to the increasing need for skilled workers in B.C., the government is investing over $470 million in jobs training and skills development programs this year and has also developed Skills for Growth, a labour market strategy to ensure that workforce skills in B.C. match and meet the economic needs of the province.

As well, the Ministry of Social Development's employment programs have helped over 73,000 people on income assistance get jobs since 2001.

"This report is a strong signal that B.C. will be entering a period of strong job growth and increasing prosperity. Families in all regions of B.C. including our rural areas, will benefit from this growth," Bell said.

"Our government is working hard to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities, ensuring that we are able to meet the demand for the over one million jobs that will become available over the next decade."

B.C. exports are also booming and Bell attributes much of the growth to the increasing demand from Asian markets.

"China is number one in the softwood lumber market with $122 million [worth of lumber] exported during the month of May, surpassing U.S. exports which totaled $119 million in the same month."

"It is a huge economic shift and it is more than just lumber," Bell added.

B.C. exports across the board are up by $1.6 billion, up 14 per cent from 2010. Energy exports up 16 per cent, industry related exports up 20 per cent and agricultural and fishing industry related exports are also on the rise.

"Exports to Asia total $5.5 billion, this is on par with exports to the U.S., exports to Japan increased by 17 per cent, South Korea exports are up, the European Union exports are up by 34 per cent and exports to South America are also up."

"B.C. is the only province that will see double digit export growth this year, and it's exciting," Bell said.

On the flip side, Bell said the B.C. tourism industry took a nose dive this year. The sector is down by 1.9 per cent.

"It is disappointing, tourism is a key industry, but the good news is that we are seeing a 20 per cent increase of tourists from China this year," he said.

According to Bell, the number of Chinese tourists will increase to more than 60,000 per year in Vancouver over the next few years. "We are developing new strategies in tourism and we compete well in the ski sector worldwide. We have the second largest ski industry in North America."

Bell said the report is based on a five year window. The predictions are made based on a flat U.S. economy and made under the assumption that the harmonized sales tax (HST) is here to stay.

"Any changes that impact the economy, such as removing the HST, will impact job growth," he said, adding that if the HST is discarded in the referendum, it will result in lower job growth across the province.

For more information or to view the Labour Market Outlook - 2010-2020 report: go to www.workbc.ca/docs/BCLMOutlook.pdf or to view the Skills for Growth, British Columbia's labour market strategy to 2020 go to www.workbc.ca/docs/Skills_for_Growth_Strategy.pdf