Social Services Labour Market Research Project

BC’s social services sector has long experienced challenges with attracting and keeping staff. The sector is competing for workers in a tough labour market and the added complexity, skill, and personal connection required in this line of work only adds further challenges. Efforts to take a systems-level approach have been complicated by the lack of data about the sector. There have been several studies over the past 10 years that looked at various aspects of our field but none have been able to paint a full picture of the whole sector in comparison to others or of the labour market in general.

In 2018, The Federation began work (in partnership with SPARC BC and CSSEA) on an in-depth research study and analysis of BC’s community social services sector labour market. Funding for this project was provided through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement’s Sector Labour Market Partnerships (SLMP) Program administered by the BC Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training (MAEST).

In February, 2021, we received approval and permission to release the Final Report of the Social Services Labour Market Research Project and the project’s Aggregated Data publicly.

Final Report

This report highlights and explains the recruitment and retention challenges facing BC’s community social services sector. It discusses those issues and presents solutions that involve all of the various stakeholders within the sector—the community social services organizations themselves, government funders, post-secondary institutions, unions, as well as foundations and other funding bodies.

It identifies recruitment and retention trends, examines barriers and differences related to geography, age, gender, culture, and immigration status, and explores the effectiveness of education and training programs as well as employer-based training.

We hoped and expected that this project would lead to (1) an increased understanding of BC’s social services sector and its labour market challenges and (2) to a comprehensive strategy encouraging people to choose community social services as a a career. This report was the first step in that process.

There are still some questions that require answers. How do we address the particular challenges of recruitment and retention in northern, rural and remote communities? How do we address pressing wage concerns and disparities? How can we help organizations ease their administrative burdens so that they can focus more on training, supervision, and service delivery?

The next phase of this work will involve answering those questions and the report contains a number of recommendations about what the next steps should look like (some of which are already underway).

Aggregated Data

This project was guided by three central research questions: What is the current state of employment in BC’s community social services sector? What labour market data is needed to fill in the gaps of what we know about the community social services sector in BC? What are the recruitment and retention issues within the community social services sector in BC?

To answer these questions, this project employed a mixed-methods approach to collect meaningful data from diverse groups of individuals working in the sector including both Strategic Leaders and Frontline Workers.

The Aggregated Data report contains all of the findings from (1) the Key Informant interviews with Strategic Leaders in the community social services sector, (2) eight workshops with Strategic Leaders from the sector, (3) a province-wide survey of 90 Strategic Leaders, and (4) a province-wide survey of 774 Frontline Workers.

Background

This project was initially developed as a direct result of the work our members and sector allies did at The Federation’s 2018 Social Policy Forum (which focused on issues related to the strength and sustainability of our sector). Recruitment and retention challenges were a central theme that emerged over those two days.

Participants recognized that these challenges were not new, but that a major roadblock we were facing was a lack of data about the sector. As a result, our members made clear that a priority for The Federation would be to better understand and address these issues.

We now have the findings and data—both anecdotal and empirical—to explain the nuanced, complex challenges faced by this sector. And we also have the analysis, recommendations, and next steps to address those challenges.

“I enjoy my work very much but will be pursuing further education leading to a higher-paying job as the pay for this position is not sustainable long-term.”

– Frontline Worker Survey Participant

Key Findings

Most Strategic Leaders (over 75%) reported that the level of difficulty in recruiting paid employees was either higher or much higher than it was three years ago.
Over two-thirds (69%) of Strategic Leaders Survey respondents said the level of difficulty retaining paid employees was either higher or much higher than it was three years ago.
When asked to identify the top three challenges facing them in their current position, Frontline Workers Survey respondents identified stress (70%), low pay (61%), and workload (49%).
The large majority of Frontline Workers Survey respondents (81%) reported that the best way to encourage them to stay longer in their current position would be better pay.
Nearly two-thirds (64%) of those who responded to the Frontline Workers Survey either strongly agreed or agreed that they need more education and training to advance their career in the community social services sector.

“More frequent professional development opportunities which will allow me to expand my skill set on an ongoing basis would definitely encourage me to keep my passion for the long-term.”

– Frontline Worker Survey Participant

Thanks

Funding for this project was provided through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement’s Sector Labour Market Partnerships (SLMP) Program administered by the BC Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training (MAEST). The Federation would like to thank our colleagues within MAEST and our partners at CSSEA and SPARC BC for their work throughout the various stages of this long and very important project.

We would also like to recognize and thank the many organizations, leaders, and frontline staff who took the time to participate in our surveys, interviews, focus groups, and advisory committees over the past three years. Your experiences and insights have already proved to be a valuable resource and we are all very much looking forward to the changes they will help to inform.

Spring 2018
Inception
At the 2018 Social Policy Forum, Federation members prioritize the need to better understand and address the recruitment and retention challenges facing the sector.
Fall 2018
Work Begins
Work begins on the Social Services Labour Market Research Project in partnership with CSSEA, and SPARC BC thanks to funding administered by MAEST.
Summer 2019
Research & Analysis
The Federation conducts interviews, focus groups, and surveys and spends the summer analyzing the data.
Fall 2019
Reporting
The Federation hosts a series of webinars presenting the research data and initial analysis to members and sector partners for feedback and validity testing. Consultations begin on recommendations to be included in the final report.
Spring 2020
Draft Report
A draft of the Social Services Labour Market Research Project final report is sent for review by to the funding body (MAEST) and the project advisory committee.
Fall 2020
Final Report
After revisions and design, the Final Report of the Social Services Labour Market Research Project is submitted to the Ministry of Advanced Education & Skills Training for review and approval.
Spring 2021
Public Release
The Final Report and the Aggregated Data of the Social Services Labour Market Research Project are approved for public release by the Ministry of Advanced Education & Skills Training. The report is shared with Federation members, partners, and the SSLMRP team presents to the Social Services Sector Round Table.

Social Services Labour Market Research Project

Final Report

Aggregated Data

Background

Key Findings

Thanks

Spring 2018

Inception

Fall 2018

Work Begins

Summer 2019

Research & Analysis

Fall 2019

Reporting

Spring 2020

Draft Report

Fall 2020

Final Report

Spring 2021

Public Release

Contact Info

Reconciliation

Resources

About The Federation