Canada’s oil and gas industry is confronting a significant recruitment challenge. A recent report by Careers in Energy, a division of Energy Safety Canada, indicates that the sector will require around 72,000 workers by 2035, primarily to fill positions left vacant by retiring employees.
However, this figure could surge to over 100,000 if major energy projects such as pipelines proceed in the upcoming years. This hiring demand coincides with economic struggles and uncertainties in various industries due to factors like U.S. tariffs and the rise of artificial intelligence.
Despite the high-paying opportunities available in the oilpatch, which encompass roles ranging from welders and mechanics to salespeople and engineers, some individuals may be deterred by the requirement to work in remote locations. Lisa Stephenson, the director of Careers in Energy, emphasized the growing and evolving nature of the energy sector, highlighting the imminent demand for tradespeople, engineers, and technical workers.
The labor shortage in the oilpatch is anticipated to commence around 2027 as retirements accelerate. Failure to address this shortfall may impede Canada’s ability to fulfill its ambition of being a dependable global source of both clean and conventional energy. In 2025, Canada’s oilpatch directly employed 192,500 individuals, a number projected to increase to 210,900 by 2035.
Joshua Anhalt, CEO of MBrace Energy in Calgary, emphasized the difficulty in automating many industry jobs, expressing the ongoing need for human skills in various roles. This news comes at a time when young Canadians are grappling with a job market that is particularly challenging for them.
While the industry’s average salaries exceed the national average, attracting younger talent remains a hurdle due to concerns about remote work, work-life balance, and environmental perceptions. Despite these challenges, individuals like Kent Swanlund have leveraged their oilpatch experience to pursue ventures beyond the sector. Swanlund, a former chemical engineer, now leads CO2Brew, a startup focusing on carbon dioxide capture for breweries.
The fluctuating interest in oil and gas-related programs at academic institutions reflects the industry’s volatile nature. Aleisha Cerny, a co-founder of Serenity Power, shifted from a climate activism background to engineering, developing fuel-cell technology for efficient electricity generation. Her journey underscores the changing perspectives within the energy sector as it evolves technologically and environmentally.
As Warren Mabee from Queen’s University emphasizes, younger workers seek alignment between industry practices and their values, particularly in addressing climate concerns. The industry’s role in Canada’s economy and its technological advancements are attracting attention from the emerging workforce, illustrating a blend of environmental consciousness and economic pragmatism.