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A combination of retirements and new workforce demands is expected to create about 72,600 job vacancies in Canada’s energy sector by 2035, according to a new report from Careers in Energy.
Roughly 54,200 energy workers in traditional oil and gas industries and emerging energy technologies will be eligible for retirement by 2035, by which time the sector would also generate 18,400 new jobs, the report says.
Careers in Energy—a labour-market and career information platform focused on the energy industry workforce—is operated by Energy Safety Canada and funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program.
Labour shortages could begin emerging as soon as 2027, with the greatest impact seen in drilling and servicing operations, engineering, facility operations, skilled trades, transportation, and heavy equipment operation, the report says.
New labour demand would be seen in liquefied natural gas (LNG), low-carbon hydrogen, biomass fuels, and carbon capture and storage projects, the report says.
New technologies mean that more energy can be created with fewer workers, but labour shortages persist due to increasing energy demand and the need for workers with specialized skills, the report adds.
The report “underscores the importance of coordinated workforce planning, training and upskilling to ensure Canada can attract and retain the talent required to support both established and emerging energy sectors,” Energy Safety Canada said.
The report’s findings are broadly consistent with federal labour market data. Statistics Canada has reported persistent labour shortages in skilled trades, construction, industrial occupations, and engineering support roles in recent years, with many employers continuing to report difficulty filling positions. Those occupations overlap with many of the jobs identified by Careers in Energy as likely to face recruitment pressures as experienced workers retire and demand for technical expertise grows.
Statistics Canada employment data also suggest that Canada’s energy sector has remained relatively stable despite periodic downturns tied to commodity prices. Employment in oil and gas extraction, utilities, and related support services has fluctuated over time, but has not experienced a sustained long-term decline. That trend aligns with the report’s conclusion that the sector is undergoing a transition rather than a contraction, with traditional energy industries expected to remain major employers even as lower-emission energy technologies expand.
Regional labour market data likewise support the report’s assessment that energy employment remains concentrated in Western Canada. Alberta continues to have one of the country’s highest concentrations of workers employed in oil and gas extraction, energy services, and related construction industries. Saskatchewan and British Columbia also maintain significant employment tied to resource development and energy projects.
Meanwhile, Atlantic Canada is expected to play a growing role in emerging energy industries, including wind power, hydrogen production, and biofuels. While the region’s energy workforce remains considerably smaller than that of Western Canada, the report says new projects could create additional demand for skilled workers.
