Fewer trade jobs over next 2 years, N.L. government predicts

The Newfoundland and Labrador government is forecasting a major swing in the type of jobs available in the province in the next few years, with a decline in trades workers and an increase in the health care and retail fields.

The Labour Market Outlook looks at the number and type of job openings in the short-term as well as over the next decade in the province.

It's predicted there will be 64,000 job openings between now and 2025, with the majority of the positions in business, finance and administration; sales and service; management; health; and occupations unique to primary industry, including the fishery.

"If we're going to plan for the future what we need to be able to do is to use as current information as we possibly can and that allows your post-secondary education, both public and private, to plan," said Advanced Education and Skills Minister Clyde Jackman.

Trade job losses to rebound by 2025, outlook predicts

However, over the next several years there will be a decrease of almost 7,000 jobs in the trades, including transport and equipment operators.

Carpenters and metal workers will have the biggest declines in the trades up until 2018.

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Jackman said he's not too worried about having fewer trades jobs in the short term because of potential work in the next decade.

"We know that projects such as we have now with Long Harbour and these kinds [of projects], they have an end date, but the important thing to recognize though is that there are potential projects on the horizon," said Jackman.

"If you look at Statoil Bay du Nord, we don't know where Gull Island is going to end up, we have to maintain that work force."

Statoil still has not committed to developing Bay du Nord, as it's still exploring the viability of the project.

At the end of the decade, the province predicts there will be over 1,600 job openings in the trades.

Jobs in childcare and home support will increase in the short- and long-term, with over 3,000 job openings in the next decade.

There will be large openings for cleaners and fishermen, largely due to retirements.

The market outlook serves to educate residents about employment opportunities and labour demands in the province over the next ten years.

About 57 per cent of job openings over the next decade require some form of post-secondary education.