2003/04 – 2005/06 SERVICE PLAN Ministry of Human Resources

Planning Context

A stronger economy

British Columbia demonstrated strong job growth, recording a net gain of more than 31,000 jobs in 2002 based on information available January 22, 2003. The BC economy grew 1.9 per cent in 2002, faster than the 0.7 per cent expected at the time of last year’s budget, according to BC’s independent economic forecast council. The council now expects growth in BC’s economy to pick up to 2.7 per cent in 2003. Further information on the BC outlook may be found in the Budget and Three Year Fiscal Plan released with the budget. These and other economic trends support opportunities for people to move from assistance to employment.

A highly dynamic labour market

Each year, approximately 500,000 vacancies are filled in British Columbia as people change jobs, retire, go to school or leave employment to care for family and children. This trend has been fairly consistent since 1986, even through the recession of the early 1990s. This level of activity in the labour market supports the ministry’s work.

Emerging job opportunities

BC’s labour market continues its gradual shift from a goods-producing base to a service-producing base. Job growth is likely to be strongest in the service sector, where more than 1.7 million British Columbians are expected to be employed by 2008. Shortages of skilled workers are anticipated in sectors such as trades, high-technology and health care.

Both of these trends present opportunities for the ministry in assisting income assistance clients to gain employment. Growth in the service sector will provide more entry-level job opportunities and additional vacancies will be created as people currently employed in other areas move into sectors with critical skill shortages.

Changing demographics

The aging of the BC population means the number of people retiring will increase in coming years, further supporting the growth of job opportunities.

At the same time, the number of people with disabilities is growing, relative to the total population. This is due to factors such as increasing life expectancy for persons with disabilities, and may result in higher demand for income assistance in years to come. This underlines the importance of the ministry’s new Employment Strategy for Persons with Disabilities.

Intergenerational dependency

Data from the last 20 years show that children whose families receive income assistance are approximately six times more likely than children from working families to need income assistance themselves as adults — and that the likelihood of future dependence increases the longer a family stays on income assistance. In response, the ministry will continue to work to break this cycle by maintaining its emphasis on sustainable employment.

Trends in education

Data from the Ministry of Education show that only 16% of BC Employment and Assistance clients have graduated from high school. High school graduation rates and levels of participation in post-secondary education are increasing across BC. This is expected to reduce income assistance dependence.

Bridging the digital divide

BC is the most “connected” province in the country. Over 60% of residents have access to the Internet; the numbers are growing, and the Premier has committed to seeing the province become “a world leader in e-government”.

The opportunity exists for the ministry to move forward with an Electronic Service Delivery initiative to upgrade systems and business applications, improve service and enhance overall efficiency.