Educational Services Industry

October 2010

· The industry employed about 126,800 people in 2008

· Average annual employment growth rate in the industry between 2009 and 2013 is expected to be 1.5%

Profile

Schools, colleges, universities and training centres in this industry provide instruction and training in a wide variety of subjects. These institutions may be privately or publicly owned and may offer accommodation and food services to their students.

Occupations in the industry include teachers, professors, educational counsellors and teacher assistants.

Performance and outlook

The industry’s share of overall economic activity in Alberta has remained steady since 1999, while its share of total employment has dropped slightly. Employment rebounded in the early months of 2009 after moderate declines the year before.

Alberta continues to have a highly educated workforce. By 2008, nearly 80 per cent of Albertans had earned a high school diploma. Within less than 10 years, more than half of Alberta’s population is expected to have some level of post-secondary education. Popular fields of study will include education, the humanities, the social sciences, engineering, mathematics, health and computer sciences.

Above average growth is forecast for university professors and assistants, secondary and elementary school teachers, and education counsellors. Below average growth is expected for college and other vocational instructors.

Approximately 9,500 jobs will be created in the industry by 2013.

For more information see Alberta Career and Industry Outlook or Alberta Industry Profiles.

Occupations in the Industry

For a list of occupations and related occupations in this industry, see OCCinfo Search by Industry: Educational Services page.