• The Professional, scientific and technical services sector includes a large and varied group of services.
• Growth in this industry is strongly affected by the provincial economy and demographic trends.
• Most jobs in this industry group are located in the Lower Mainland-Southwest region.
• Future job prospects are expected to be above average.

This sector is made up of establishments primarily engaged in activities that rely on human capital. In other words, their work is based on the time, personal skills, capabilities, experiences and knowledge of workers. These establishments make the knowledge and skills of their employees available, often on an assignment basis. The individual industries within this sector vary as to the particular expertise and training of the services provided.

In most of these industries, equipment and materials are not of major importance. Instead, the establishments in this sector sell expertise. Much of the expertise requires a university or college education, although not in every case.

The Professional, scientific and technical services sector includes services in the legal, accounting, architectural, engineering, surveying and mapping, design, advertising, scientific research and development, and other knowledge-based industries. It also includes management, scientific and technical consulting.

Some industries in this group have close ties to clients that produce goods, such as establishments in construction, manufacturing or mining. Clients may also include service sector industries such as governments. Other industries in this group count both businesses and households among their clientele. Industries such as engineering and computer system design services may earn significant revenues from foreign clients.

Source: Adapted from Statistics Canada, North American Industry Classification System, Canada 2002, Catalogue No. 12-501-XPE.