Forestry is one of B.C.’s key economic sectors and the Province and the BC First Nations Forestry Council (BCFNFC) have announced a new labour market partnership project.

On Friday, Sept. 9, the annual federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) ministers of labour meeting is being held in the city of Prince George. The meeting will be co-chaired by Canada’s Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour MaryAnn Mihychuk, and Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour Shirley Bond.

Improving economic outcomes and business development opportunities in First Nations communities is at the heart of a provincial partnership with the B.C. Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN).

The Province and the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) have been working together on two labour market projects aimed at helping more youth join British Columbia’s workforce and recruiting others who want to work in Aboriginal non-profit organizations.

Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour Shirley Bond has issued the following statement in honour of Labour Day, observed this year on Sept. 5:

The Province announced that it has invested, through the Industry Training Authority (ITA), $59,000 in the Pile Drivers, Divers, Bridge, Dock and Wharf Local Union 2404 for skills training seats in the piledriver and bridgeworker apprenticeship program.

The Province announced that it has invested through the Industry Training Authority (ITA) a combined $1,158,000 to six training providers in Surrey for skills training seats in high-priority trades.

Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour Shirley Bond and Parliamentary Secretary Greg Kyllo gave an update on British Columbia’s economic progress since the BC Jobs Plan release in 2011 and a preview of where the jobs plan is headed in the five-year update later this fall.