The B.C. government is investing $429,935 to provide Essential Skills (ES) training to 125 people through a partnership with the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME).

The Skills for BC online discussion has shown that British Columbians are eager to help ensure they have the skills needed to fill B.C.'s jobs and that B.C.'s training system can meet future demands.

Employment opportunities in the mining sector are expected to grow over the next decade, with more than 10,000 job openings expected by 2020. The industry will need skilled workers in several key occupations, including machinery and transportation equipment mechanics, primary production workers and vehicle drivers.

Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour Pat Bell is asking the public to join in on a Twitter town hall to talk about skills training in B.C.

In 2011, the B.C. forest sector employed more than 53,000 workers. In addition to new jobs, as many as 25,000 job openings are expected across the sector over the next decade as existing workers retire.

There will be an economic development and investment readiness workshop for local government and First Nations officials in Burns Lake.

Under the BC Jobs Plan, government is making significant investments in skills training to ensure that British Columbians are first in line for good jobs that are created here in British Columbia.

British Columbia will be featured as an attractive tourist destination by two high-profile television shows over the next week.