Career Overview
Government managers in this unit group:
- Plan, organize and direct policy, research and programs in government such as taxation, international trade, labour markets, transportation or agriculture
- Plan and direct policies and programs to promote industrial and commercial business development in urban and rural areas
- Work in government departments and agencies
Job Titles
Duties
Government managers in this unit group perform some or all of the following duties:
- Plan, organize and direct the development of economic policy research projects and economic programs
- Participate in the development of departmental policies by providing advice to senior government managers
- Organize departmental unit and establish procedures to meet departmental goals set by senior management
- Direct and advise economists and other professional staff who conduct economic research, prepare reports or carry out programs in areas of government activity such as taxation, international trade, labour, transportation or agriculture
- Direct and advise economic development officers or other staff carrying out programs to promote industrial and commercial business investment in urban or rural areas
- Plan, carry out and control research and administration budgets for projects, support services, equipment or supplies
- Organize and direct committees evaluating departmental or agency projects or programs
- Interview, hire and oversee training and professional development
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
1,505% Employed Full Time
84%Work in this occupation is typically performed in a structured environment, such as an office.
Career Pathways
Progression to senior management positions is possible with experience.
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.
For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Education, Training and Skills
- A bachelor's degree in economics, business administration, commerce or public administration is required
- A master's degree in economics or a related field may be required
- Several years of experience as an economist, economic development officer or socio-economic researcher are required
Education programs in B.C.
The following program areas are related to this occupation:
- Public Administration

Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Motivating, developing and directing people as they work, and identifying the best people for the job.
Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
1,505Employment by Region
Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
---|---|---|
Cariboo | 70 | 4.7% |
Kootenay | 50 | 3.3% |
Mainland/Southwest | 770 | 51.3% |
North Coast and Nechako | 65 | 4.3% |
Northeast | 25 | 1.7% |
Thompson-Okanagan | 135 | 9.0% |
Vancouver Island/Coast | 395 | 26.3% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)
850Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
---|---|---|
Cariboo | 30 | -0.1% |
Kootenay | 30 | -0.3% |
Mainland/Southwest | 470 | 1.7% |
North Coast and Nechako | 10 | -1.0% |
Northeast | Not available | Not available |
Thompson-Okanagan | 80 | 0.5% |
Vancouver Island/Coast | 230 | 0.6% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
Industry | Job Openings (2024-2034) |
---|---|
Public Administration | 790 |
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 10 |
Educational Services | 10 |
Business, Building and Other Support Services | 10 |
Wholesale Trade | 10 |
Resources
Resource information is currently not available.