Professional Services

The service sector in Chilliwack is comprised of small businesses, with the majority of firms having less than four employees. Many are owner-operated.

TREND
Provincially, there is an overall trend away from goods-producing activity into servicesector activity and this trend is expected to affect Chilliwack. The increase of employment in services will be driven by  continued population growth, a more competitive downtown and new mixed-use commercial/ retail developments throughout the region. With this growth, there will be more and better service options for residents.
Other demographic changes, particularly the rising population age, will also affect this sector. With more seniors and retirees attracted to Chilliwack by affordable real estate and housing prices, more  seniorspecific service opportunities will emerge. Chilliwack’s proximity to Vancouver, combined with the area’s exceptional recreation assets and its reasonably priced real estate, will also appeal to increasingly
mobile professionals and high technology, knowledge-based enterprises.

EMPLOYMENT
The proportion of the labour force employed in professional, scientific and technical is nearly 5%, similarly other services adds another 5.5%. This has been a growth area in Chilliwack due to population growth and the increasing diversification of the local economy. Increased manufacturing and a stronger retail market have increased the need for service sector jobs. Also, many service sector jobs are dependent on
Chilliwack’s growing primary industries, like agriculture.