With historically low unemployment compared to the rest of B.C., this region has a hot services-producing sector and a young population (70% of people working age). Projected growth of jobs 2018-2028: 41.7% (6,000 jobs).
By Charlene Rooke
Dawson Creek
NORTHERN LIGHTS COLLEGE
Where: Dawson Creek base with additional campuses in Chetwynd, Fort Nelson, Fort St. John and Tumbler Ridge, plus access centres in Atlin, Dease Lake and Hudson’s Hope and videoconferencing facilities at all campuses.
What: Calling itself “B.C.’s Energy College,” NL has one- and two-year programs, some of them university transferable. Trade and vocational learning, applied business technology, and university arts and science courses are among its offerings. A Centre of Training Excellence in Oil and Gas is located at the Fort St. John campus and there’s an Aerospace Centre of Excellence and a Clean Energy Technology Centre of Excellence in Dawson Creek.
Size: 2,000 students, 55 programs, eight satellite campuses.
Community: First aid, hunter safety and bear awareness, and various oil and gas sector training courses are among the workplace-related offerings at various campuses.
BUY
Dawson Creek single-family residential property values were flat in 2019 (average value $253,000), condo values were down -1% (average value $199,100). Resale condos sell quickly at prices from $125,000 and up; two-bedrooms rent for around $1,500.