Major Employment Sectors
Jobs by Employment
The twin pillars of Ucluelet’s economy are tourism and harbour related industries. Employment data from the 2016 Census reflects this reality. It shows that 18% of all jobs based in Ucluelet are in fishing, aquaculture and seafood processing while 44% of jobs are in sectors that are closely related to tourism, including accommodation services, food services, retail trade, and arts, entertainment and recreation.
Major Employers
As of the 2016 Census, accommodation services was the largest source of Ucluelet-based jobs. Major employers in this sector include Black Rock Resort and Water’s Edge Shoreside Suites, plus many smaller hotels, motels, and bed and breakfast operations.
The largest employer in the fish processing manufacturing sector is Ucluelet Harbour Seafoods (UHS), which is a subsidiary of Pacific Seafoods. During peak season, UHS operates two fish processing plants in Ucluelet with 250 employees. There are several other fish processing and offloading plants in and around Ucluelet. These smaller operations include Neptune Packers Ltd., Ukee Ice Ltd. and Tinlet Fishing.
Food services ranks third and large employers include Zoë’s Bakery and Café and Howler’s Family Restaurant. Retail trade has many small companies, but also the Ucluelet Consumer Cooperative is a major employer.
Other significant employers in Ucluelet are in the public sector, including School District 70 (Alberni) and the District of Ucluelet.
Focus on Construction
The construction sector appears modest in size based on jobs in Ucluelet, but that is partly because many Ucluelet-based construction companies and workers are regularly working throughout the region and are not counted as having a usual place of employment in Ucluelet. There were 70 Ucluelet residents working in construction as of 2016, even though only 35 jobs were “based in Ucluelet.”
There is also reason to believe that construction has expanded significantly since the 2016 Census, based on the strong uptake in building activity in the last few years.
Quality of Life
Climate
Ucluelet’s climate is warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer than most other parts of British Columbia.
Ucluelet is one of the wetter spots in British Columbia, especially in the winter. The summer months are drier, but precipitation and fog can occur. Forest fires are not common on the West Coast.
Locals learn to embrace the climate. Rain isn’t an issue when you’re on the water or wearing the right jacket and pair of boots. Likewise, when the fog roles in, locals head inland to Kennedy or Sproat lakes where it is still possible to catch the sun.
Arts and Culture
Ucluelet’s arts community is active and inclusive. This incredible stretch of coast inspires artisans, musicians, painters, carvers, writers, dancers, weavers, photographers, videographers, and sculptors.
Local visual artists show their work at Ucluelet’s private galleries, or The Orange Door Gallery curated by the Pacific Rim Arts Society. Local and visiting musicians perform at several local venues and annual festivals. Artisans hawk their wares at local boutiques and the Ucluelet Sunday Market. Aspiring artisans, artists, musicians and dancers participate in local arts and culture programming. Tofino and Ucluelet have a thriving choir that performs popular spring and winter shows in both communities.
Events
Ucluelet hosts several festivals and community events throughout the year. Some of which include:
Ukee Days
Edge to Edge Marathon
Cultural Heritage Festival
Pacific Rim Arts Society Summer Festival
Van Isle 360
Arts Splash
Pacific Rim Whale Festival
Surf Nationals
Ucluelet Aquarium Release Day
Harbour Lights Sail Past
Midnight Madness
Ucluelet’s neighbour, Tofino, also has a lively program of festivals and events.
Communication and Media
Ucluelet has two local radio stations; Tuff City Radio and Ukee Radio. Local news is also available in print and online from the Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News.
Small Town, Big Flavour
Ucluelet’s retail market is dominated by small locally owned boutiques. Local proprietors supply all essential goods and services. The consumer experience has the convivial feel of a small town where everyone knows your name.
Ucluelet has a vibrant local food scene that offers everything from fine dining experiences to cafés and coffee shops that hit all the right spots on a West Coast day.
Visitor Services
Ucluelet’s visitor services are provided through Tourism Ucluelet’s strong online presence and two Visitor Information Centres. One Information Centre is located at the Highway 4 junction and the other in the heart of Ucluelet with seasonal openings during the peak summer months. Both locations offer guest services, restrooms and a gift shop that features locally made products. Free loan umbrellas are available for rainy strolls along the Wild Pacific Trail.
The Heart of Ucluelet
Ucluelet’s commercial and business zones are along Peninsula Road and in the Village Square, centered around Main Street. These areas are adjacent to each other and walkable from accommodations and most local residential neighbourhoods. Both offer harbour views, cafés and retail opportunities with plenty of foot and vehicle traffic. This easy access also means workers can walk or bike to work.
The Commute
If you live and work in Ucluelet, your commute is pretty much non-existent. There are no stoplights and you are likely to see a friend on your way to work.
Those who work in the neighbouring community of Tofino commute about 40 minutes in either direction. There are no stoplights between Ucluelet and Tofino and the commute takes you through the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Wildlife are frequently spotted on the drive through the Park.
Health Care
Ucluelet is serviced by the Ucluelet Medical Clinic which is open 4 days a week. There are two local pharmacies, a chiropractor, a physiotherapist, several massage therapists and an acupuncturist operating in town.
The nearest hospital is in Tofino, a 40-minute drive from Ucluelet. The Tofino General Hospital offers ten acute medical inpatient beds, five emergency room beds, laboratory and X-Ray services. Other medical imaging is available at the West Coast Hospital in Port Alberni which is located about an hour and forty minutes drive from Ucluelet.
