Four public post-secondary institutions are partnering with seven Aboriginal communities in the Vancouver Island – B.C. Coast region to deliver programs that will help prepare 124 Aboriginal learners for jobs in the skilled trades and forestry.

More than 30 Aboriginal communities in partnership with 14 public post-secondary education institutions are delivering education and skills training programs to help 581 Aboriginal learners secure jobs in sectors facing a demand for skilled workers.

Forestry sector representatives met with the federal and provincial governments to discuss skilled-labour initiatives and human-resource planning, as part of a series of roundtables being held over coming months with sectors highlighted in the BC Jobs Plan.

The Province has extended the reduced fee in place for log exports in the Mid-Coast Timber Supply Area for one more year (to January 2017) to support forestry jobs in the area.

A company authorized to cut timber in the Meager Creek area northwest of Pemberton will receive an exemption to export up to 80,000 cubic metres of logs over a five-year period.

British Columbia remains a global climate leader as demonstrated at the historic COP 21 Paris climate change conference.

Effective immediately, the allowable annual cut for the Strathcona Timber Supply Area is 1,138,000 cubic metres.

Finance Minister Michael de Jong recently travelled to China and India to strengthen cultural, social and economic ties and promote British Columbia’s ongoing economic stability.

December’s Job Makers showcase Vancouver Island employers and businesses who are helping to grow the area’s economy.