Business Growth, Innovation & Competitiveness

Understanding the workforce, talent and economic factors shaping business success

Event Date: Sept 16, 2026
Event Time: 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: Pitt Meadows City Hall

Facilitators:

• Colin O’Byrne – Manager of Planning, City of Pitt Meadows
• Karoline deVries – Program Manager, WorkBC Centre Maple Ridge
• Kristi Maier – Chief Executive Officer, Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce

Summary of Workforce/Labour Market focused Discussions

Workforce & Talent Insights

Executive Summary

Key workforce findings:

• Employers continue to face occupation-specific labour shortages, particularly in insurance claims adjusting, while transportation barriers increasingly limit access to available talent.
• Although skilled trades availability has improved and applicant volumes have increased in some sectors, employers report ongoing challenges finding candidates with the right skills and experience.
• Affordability pressures, inadequate transit, and broader economic conditions are emerging as significant workforce issues affecting recruitment, retention, and business growth.

1. Workforce shortages are highly occupation-specific

• The most acute talent shortage identified was in independent insurance claims adjusting, where employers are struggling to recruit qualified workers.
• Shortages are attributed to the stressful nature of the work, moderate compensation, and a weak pipeline of new entrants.

2. Geographic location affects recruitment success

• Employers reported that access to talent is heavily influenced by location and transportation options.
• Businesses located closer to major transit corridors and SkyTrain stations have a recruiting advantage.
• Transit limitations are preventing some candidates from accepting employment opportunities, particularly for shift work.

 3. Transportation has become a workforce issue

• Inadequate transit service, train disruptions, and early/late shift transit gaps are directly affecting employers’ ability to attract and retain workers.
• Workforce challenges are not solely about finding candidates; they are also about workers’ ability to physically access jobs.

4. Candidate supply is uneven across sectors

• Employers noted that applicant volumes have increased compared to 18-24 months ago in some occupations.
• However, there remains a mismatch between available candidates and employer needs, particularly regarding skills, experience, and sector fit.

5. Skilled trades pressures may be easing

• Businesses reported improved availability of skilled trades workers compared with recent years.
• This suggests labour shortages are becoming more targeted rather than widespread across all occupations.

6. Housing affordability and cost of living affect talent mobility

• Inflation, affordability challenges, and rising living costs are influencing where people choose to live and work.
• These factors are contributing to recruitment and retention challenges for local employers.

7. Workforce development requires stronger employer-led pipelines

• Participants discussed the need for targeted workforce pipeline initiatives, particularly in sectors facing chronic shortages such as insurance adjusting.
• There was recognition that employers need to be actively involved in training and talent development solutions rather than relying solely on existing labour supply.

8. Business challenges extend beyond HR issues

• Several participants indicated that factors such as industrial land shortages, transportation infrastructure, commercial leasing costs, and government policy now have a greater impact on business growth than traditional HR concerns.
• This suggests workforce challenges are increasingly interconnected with broader economic development issues.