Educational Services Industry

October 2008

The Educational Services industry employed about 130,000 Albertans in 2007. The industry is expected to grow by a yearly average of 1.7 per cent, employing about 141,300 by 2012. The 2007 unemployment rate was 2.8 per cent (the average for all industries was 3.5 per cent).

The Educational Services industry in includes:

· public and private schools, colleges, universities and training centres

· instructional and training services

· related support services such as food and accommodation for students.

Industry Outlook

Information adapted from the Educational Services Industry profile (September 2008)

Alberta’s Occupational Demand and Supply Outlook (2007-2017) forecasts a supply surplus for university professors and assistants, and college and other vocational instructors between 2007 and 2017. However, secondary and elementary school teachers and educational counsellors should expect a supply shortage from 2016. The Alberta Occupational Forecast 2007-2012 expects secondary and elementary school teachers and educational counsellors to see above average growth.

Alberta’s Supply Outlook Model: Education and Skills (2007-2017) projects that the proportion of Albertans with post-secondary education will increase from 48.8 per cent in 2007 to 52.5 per cent in 2017, with more females than males expected to have obtained a post-secondary education by 2017. The report also indicates that, at the college and trade level, a higher percentage of males than females will have qualifications in the applied science technologies and trades field. The outlook continues to project that there will be more people who have graduated from the fields of education, humanities, social sciences, engineering, math, health and computer sciences at the university level than from college and trade institutions.

Information adapted from Alberta Career and Industry Outlook (August 2008)

The demand for education, as reflected by capital expansions and increased enrolment at many of Alberta’s major educational institutions, has likely never been greater. However, at the high school level, some students are succumbing to the temptation for early financial independence by seeking oilfield and other high-paying jobs in lieu of completing their basic education.

Work in this industry

Alberta occupational profiles that describe various types of work in this industry are listed in OCCinfo's Search by Industry: Educational Services