Office of the Premier
Education Service Delivery Project
Edition: July 2016
Resources
Top News by Sector
Economy
B.C. sets sights on $15-an-hour minimum wage, reaffirms commitment to a fair wages commission
Government Operations
Premier John Horgan announces new cabinet to build a better B.C.
Multiculturalism
B.C. passes Discriminatory Provisions (Historical Wrongs) Repeal Act
Services
Government and the Canadian Red Cross supporting small businesses impacted by wildfires
July 2016 Update
General News
This newsletter provides updates and news related to the Service Delivery Project, a K-12 effort to find efficiencies and build capacity through the shared delivery of services. The Ministry of Education and partners are working collaboratively, identifying opportunities in the areas of employment and labour matters, attendance support and wellness, facilities management, transportation and procurement. More information is available on the Service Delivery Project website.
Please forward this newsletter to anyone who would benefit from being kept up to date on the project. To subscribe to the Service Delivery Project Newsletter, please click here.
Success Stories
Health Authorities Find Savings through White Fleet Vehicle Insurance
Approximately ten years ago, Health Authorities in British Columbia consolidated their white fleet vehicles in order to realize cost savings and efficiencies. With a combined size of approximately 1,000 white fleet vehicles the program has resulted in an estimated annual savings of 30–40 per cent over the past ten years. These estimates are based on interviews conducted with a select number of Health Authorities.So how did Health Authorities realize such significant savings and efficiencies? Read more
Facilities Management
The business case on custodial labour efficiency and energy management has been completed. Developed in consultation with the Facilities Management Working Group (FMWG) and Custodial Services Advisory (CSA), the business case has been endorsed by the Service Delivery Project Steering Committee and is available for review on the Service Delivery Project website.
We would like to acknowledge a number of groups and organizations for providing advice and expertise in the development of the business case: FMWG, CSA, school districts, BC Association of School Business Officials (BCASBO), BC School Superintendents Association (BCSSA), Educational Facility Managers Association (EFMA), BC Hydro, Fortis BC, Shared Services BC, and the Climate Action Secretariat.
Implementation plans will be collaboratively developed with the FMWG, CSA, BC Education Marketplace and other stakeholders as needed. Further details regarding implementation options will be shared with the sector over the next few months.
For further details on the facilities management project, please see the Frequently Asked Questions.
Transportation
The business cases on procurement, vehicle insurance and bus route optimization have been completed. Developed in consultation with the Transportation Working Group, the business case has been endorsed by the Service Delivery Project Steering Committee and is available for review on the Service Delivery Project/Transportation website.
We would like to acknowledge the following groups and organizations for providing advice and expertise in the development of the business case: Transportation Working Group, school districts, BC Association of School Business Officials (BCASBO), BC School Superintendents Association (BCSSA), Association of Student Transportation Services of BC (ASTSBC), Shared Services BC, Risk Management Branch and ICBC. Read more
Attendance Support and Staff Wellness
The Attendance Support and Wellness Working Group (ASWWG) continues to provide input on the design, scope and implementation of the Attendance Support and Wellness Initiative (ASWI). One key area that the ASWWG has helped to develop and test is a training module assisting supervisors to undertake supportive conversations with their employees. Feedback from the test group has been incorporated, and the training module is now available to roll out in the pilot districts. BCPSEA staff supported three pilot school districts to deliver this training using the module, resulting in over 100 people trained between the three districts. Read more
Procurement
In addition to establishing new collaborative procurement contracts for the K-12 sector, the BC Education Marketplace (BCEM) has a mandate to increase awareness of other broader public sector agreements available for school district use. The Agreements section of the BCEM website includes a searchable list of more than 70 deals available from a myriad of partner organizations, such as the Educational Resource Acquisition Consortium (ERAC), the Government of BC, the Association of Student Transportation of BC (ASTSBC) and the BC Public Petroleum Buyers Group (BCPPBG). Read more
Employment Practices Liability Program
As of May 31st, the Employment Practices Liability Program (EPLP) has received approximately 244 reported incidents. Fifty-two claims are still active, which includes 45 arbitrations, five human rights complaints and two Labour Relations Board proceedings. Read more
HR/Payroll Systems
The HR/Payroll Working Group (HR/PWG) has been meeting and discussing opportunities to provide more efficient and effective services across existing HR/payroll systems. The intent of this work is to help shape recommendations on the variety of possible options that school districts could potentially implement, if desired. Read more
Information Technology
K-12 Digital Strategy
Recognizing that technology will play a central role in learning transformation, the new curriculum and our rapidly changing world, school districts and the Ministry are working together to co-develop a K-12 Digital Strategy. A sector committee which includes members from school districts has been created to guide this work. The Digital Strategy is being co-developed in phases, with key deliverables attached to each phase. Engagement and collaboration with the sector will be a keystone of this work, and where possible, will be aligned with sector schedules and designed to leverage existing association and regional meetings. The first phase commenced in May 2016 and a first generation strategy is expected to be completed by early 2017. For further information on this initiative please contact James Shypitka at James.Shypitka@gov.bc.ca.
Next Generation Network
The Next Generation Network (NGN) project is focused on underlying technology, connectivity and services to support efficient and effective delivery of personalized learning. The NGN is a complete redesign of the Provincial Learning Network and provides for equitable internet access to all students throughout the province. As of May 30th, 82 per cent of the 1,630 eligible sites have been transitioned to the new network, with all sites forecast to be completed by December 2016.
Service Delivery Contact Information
Kim Abbott: Executive Director; 250-896-3680, kim.abbott@gov.bc.ca
Jolene Schnell: Project Administrator; 250-882-1750, jolene.schnell@gov.bc.ca
Tammy Blair: Project Director for Transportation, Procurement and Employment Practices Liability Program; 778-677-5271, tammy.blair@gov.bc.ca
Caroline Ponsford: Project Director for Attendance Support and Staff Wellness, Facilities Management and HR Payroll; 250-216-6347, caroline.ponsford@gov.bc.ca
Angie Mallhi-Johal: Senior Policy Advisor; 250-896-7173, angie.mallhijohal@gov.bc.ca
