P.E.I. industries are growing. The workforce may need to catch up

Projections suggest P.E.I. could see a shortage of more than 6,000 skilled workers by 2035. Maria Sarrouh explains how the province is hoping to close the gap.

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - Prince Edward Island is facing a projected shortage of thousands of skilled workers in key sectors, as a new initiative aims to help close potential gaps before they slow economic growth.

Holland College and its foundation announced FutureWorks P.E.I. this week, a multi-year plan supported by a $15-million philanthropic gift from the Weston family. The college says it will work to expand trades training, strengthen applied research and build more digital, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity skills in areas considered critical to the province’s economic future.

“What we’re hearing clearly is there’s a shortage,” said Alexander (Sandy) MacDonald, Holland College’s president and CEO.

The province could be short more than 6,000 skilled workers by 2035 across bioscience, construction, manufacturing and digital and technical services, according to a December 2025 labour market assessment by Stiletto Consulting.

The assessment says the province’s aging population and declining workforce participation are growing constraints that could make it harder for P.E.I. to meet labour market demand, housing and infrastructure needs, and long-term economic growth.

MacDonald said Holland College plays a “central role” in building talent pipelines for the Island’s economy, and the funding will create hundreds of new seats for students, including part-time options for people already in the workforce to upgrade their skills. It will also connect 175 businesses with research support to develop new technologies, products and processes.

“There’s all kinds of ideas, not only for for-profit businesses, but also for businesses that are not for profit,” MacDonald said.

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Holland College also plans to add a new post-secondary cybersecurity program, construction training facilities at the Summerside Waterfront Campus and expanded biotechnology research labs at the Prince of Wales Campus in Charlottetown, among other investments.

While P.E.I. has long been known for agriculture, fisheries and tourism, the bioscience sector has grown significantly over the past two decades.

Lauren Ledwell, CEO of P.E.I. BioAlliance, said it’s now the number-two sector on the Island by economic development and GDP impact, generating more than $600 million in revenue in 2024. Much of that revenue comes from exports to global markets, with products and services tied to human and animal health. But the sector has big ambitions, hoping to hit $1 billion in revenue by 2030.

“We’ve made some pretty concerted efforts over the past decade to make sure that the demand for skilled workers meets the supply,” Ledwell said, listing partnerships with Holland College, the University of Prince Edward Island and the Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences, or CASTL.

She said P.E.I. BioAlliance is keeping a close eye on projected labour gaps, especially as some companies in the sector continue to scale.

“Companies that are based here that are looking for a highly specialized skill set will look at their home market first,” Ledwell said. “But if it’s not able to be found here, that particular skill set, they’ll look elsewhere.”

Ledwell said the goal is to keep growing the range of skills available on P.E.I.

“Ultimately, we’re looking to make sure that Islanders are employed and that the jobs that are offered up in the sector are well-paying,” she said.