Demand for care aides will continue to grow over the next decade
There are plenty of jobs for caregivers in British Columbia, and there are only going to be more jobs openings over the next decade. That’s according to care home and home care operators located in every part of British Columbia.
Care providers talked about job opportunities during a recent provincial listening tour conducted by the BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA), the professional organization representing the industry. A red-hot BC economy has resulted in a labour shortage in almost every industry, including in the health sector, which employs caregivers.
The BCCPA estimates that within ten years, positions in health and social assistance alone are expected to generate 66,000 job openings in British Columbia, in part due to the aging population. By 2025, health-sector employment is projected to increase by an average rate of 2.3 per cent annually, with demand for care aides and health-care assistants ranked in the top 10.
“There is a dearth of care aides and hospitality staff available for employment,” says Laura Croll, a human resources analyst for BCCPA. “We need to advocate for change on this matter and we are working with provincial and federal governments to develop a response to this very challenging situation.”
One initiative that is actually creating more job opportunities for care aides in British Columbia is ambitious targets mandated by B.C.’s Ministry of Health for increased direct-care hours among publicly funded care-providers.
In an effort to address the needs of our aging population, the provincial government announced significant new funding for seniors care last spring, part of which will be dedicated to the hiring of more than 1,500 new staff to work in publicly funded residential care homes over the next four years.
If hiring 1,500 new staff wasn’t challenging enough, large numbers of care workers are expected to retire over the coming decade. Where will these new workers come from?
Many industries expect to fill these jobs will with new entrants to the labour market, followed by immigrants and newcomers to BC.
The Benefits of Being a Home Caregiver
During its provincial listening tour, the BCCPA found if workers get a better understanding of the intrinsic benefits to employment in the seniors care sector, including making a difference in the lives of seniors, it would make seniors’ care as more appealing career option.
You’d probably like being a home health care worker if:
- You enjoy a lot of flexibility and independence in your work.
- You like working one-on-one with someone and developing a relationship with your client.
- You can be creative and think on your feet.
- You like tasks such as cooking for someone, helping with errands or shopping, conversing with and participating in activities with your client.
- You are energized by fulfilling someone’s requests and catering to an individual’s likes and dislikes.
- You enjoy working in a home-like environment.
Home Health Care Career Opportunities with Classic LifeCare
Come work for our growing, non-franchised, family-run home care agency accredited by Accreditation Canada.
Advantages of working as a home health care worker with the Classic team include:
- A referral program
- Live-in signing bonus
- Free education
- Support from our Nursing Supervisors and office staff.
Most importantly, you’ll feel like part of the Classic LifeCare family. A family with almost 45 years of experience delivering exceptional service to satisfied clients and employees.
