Social worker recruitment and retention in New Brunswick

Abstract

Social workers play an important role in supporting individuals, families, and communities in New Brunswick, yet the province continues to face challenges in maintaining a stable workforce. Using linked administrative data from 2010–2024, this study examines patterns in recruitment, occupational retention, and provincial retention among social workers. The analysis draws on social worker registry data, university graduation records, and provincial Medicare data to assess who enters the profession, how long they remain registered, and which factors are associated with decisions to leave the profession – and subsequently the province. Descriptive statistics and multivariate models are used to explore differences across demographic and employment groups, as well as changes observed during the COVID 19 period. Findings show that the number of registered social workers has grown over time. Around two-thirds of social work graduates from NB universities enter the profession, and most new registrants remain registered social workers for several years. However, the share of social workers working in frontline roles may be decreasing, and exits from practice have risen in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic. Taken together, these and other findings offer a clearer view of how social worker recruitment and retention have shifted in recent years and where pressures may be emerging, with results providing evidence to support long term workforce planning in NB.