Labour supply, employment, and earnings in New Brunswick’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector

Abstract

This report examines the supply, employment patterns, and earnings of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) professionals in New Brunswick using linked administrative, Census, and survey data. The analysis focuses on three key groups contributing to the province’s ICT workforce: graduates of New Brunswick’s public post secondary institutions, permanent residents with ICT skills, and ICT workers captured in national labour force data sets. The study describes demographic characteristics, mobility patterns, and income outcomes, with particular attention to differences between individuals who remain in New Brunswick and those who work elsewhere in Canada.

Findings show that ICT workers in New Brunswick experience consistently high employment rates, and the workforce has become increasingly diverse over time. However, both ICT graduates and ICT skilled permanent residents exhibit substantial out migration, particularly over the longer term. While short term earnings are similar regardless of province of employment, income gaps emerge five years after graduation or landing, with those employed outside New Brunswick earning significantly more. These results highlight the competitive pressures facing smaller labour markets and underscore the importance of understanding the factors that support long term retention of ICT skilled workers.