Byline: Business in Vancouver
In 2009, BC has reported some of the worst job losses in Canada and an unemployment rate of over 7% - up from 4.9% in November 2008 - and a 47% annual increase in welfare cases. The number of British Columbians receiving EI has nearly doubled over the past year. This is the highest increase in the nation.
And while the economic downturn takes its toll, the needs of our health system grow as our society ages.
In the 1920s, seniors made up 5% of Canada's population. In 2005, the percentage reached 13% and by 2026 seniors will comprise 22% of the population. Canadians aged 70-89 will double by 2035 to 6.4 million and within a decade, the number of seniors over 65 will outnumber children under the age of 15 for the first time.
While much has been said about the pressures this "silver tsunami" will place on taxpayers, these demographics also suggest the aging of our society can create significant social and economic opportunities as it relates to employment.
Recent surveys of our members confirm labour shortages exist in the seniors care sector - particularly in the Interior and on Vancouver Island. Close to half of our Metro Vancouver members identified the labour shortage as a top issue and over 75% feel it will get worse in the next year because of an aging workforce and increased demand.
To their credit, the federal and provincial governments have identified health care as a sector that can create jobs in BC. They are forecasting thousands of new openings for nurse aides, registered nurses and orderlies by 2011.
In their 2009 stimulus budget, the federal government announced billions for training partnerships in growth sectors and shortly after, Premier Campbell pledged to use some of these funds to build on a successful care aide training partnership our Association established with the provincial government called BC Cares.
An extended BC Cares training and employment collaboration would feature education institutions from across BC working with employers on a campaign to recruit potential care aide and nurses - with a special emphasis on Aboriginal communities, youth, new Canadians and families impacted by the economic downturn.
Participants would start their career in the relatively secure health care industry as a residential care aide or home support worker. Some current care aides would be encouraged increase their earning potential by "training up" to be an LPN.
In addition to providing financial incentives for students and wage subsidies for care providers, a BC Cares extension will also facilitate a comprehensive evaluation of the labour needs of the BC seniors' care sector beyond 2010
The bottom line is that strategic investments in health human resources serve a dual purpose. In addition to providing well-paying jobs in a growth sector of the economy, we can improve the quality of care we provide to the most vulnerable members of our society. If that is not a much-needed win-win in difficult economic times, nothing is.
