The B.C. government is providing a funding boost for a new program to support training for people to work in the mining industry, part of the BC Jobs Plan commitment to provide a solid foundation of skills training to meet labour market demands in key sectors of the economy.

A total of $1,069,000 will go to the Association for Mineral Exploration BC (AME BC), the Mining Association of BC, Aggregate Producers Association of BC and their industry partners. The money will be used to further develop human resource strategies designed to meet the increasing demand for skilled labour in B.C.'s mining sector.

The three-year project will identify industry-specific training, educational and promotional needs required to keep pace with a growing industry facing a shortage of skilled workers. The project will have a strong focus on youth and under-represented sectors of society such as women, Aboriginal people and new Canadians.

Currently B.C. has about 14,000 direct mining jobs. New employment opportunities and job creation in the mining sector have the potential to add an additional 10,000 direct jobs over next 10 years.

The funding will support the work of the Mineral Exploration and Mining Industry Labour Shortage Task Force, which was formed by industry stakeholders in 2008. The purpose of the Task Force and this project is to co-ordinate, develop and implement workforce measures to ensure the mining industry in British Columbia has the human resources needed to support the growth and sustainability of the sector.

Funding for this government-supported Labour Market Partnerships Program is provided through the Canada British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement.

Learn about 'Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan' by going to: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/

Quotes:

Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation -

"Through the BC Jobs plan, we are moving to accelerate approval of mine proposals so families and communities can benefit from their economic impacts. This project will help to ensure we have the skilled workers that will be needed to fill the jobs created by retirements and the continuing expansion of the mining sector in British Columbia."

David Bazowski, chair, Mineral Exploration and Mining Labour Shortage Task Force -

"The combination of an aging workforce in B.C. and continued international demand for our metal and mineral commodities is projected to create 10,000 new jobs over the next 10 years. We thank the provincial government for its continued support of the Labour Shortage Task Force, which will help attract new Canadians, women and Aboriginals into the workforce, and contribute to enhanced partnerships between industry, government and educational institutions in developing technical and scientific capacity for many generations."

Quick Facts:

* One-half of the proposed mines in Canada are located in B.C.

* Mining exploration funding was $322 million in 2010 as compared with $154 million in 2009.

* Currently there are 300 exploration projects in B.C. with 25 of them spending over $1 million annually.

* Gross revenue of the mining industry in B.C. exceeds between $6 billion and 8 billion annually.

* Under the BC Jobs Plan, the government has committed to opening eight new mines and nine upgrades and expansions to currently operating mines.

* Over the next decade, it's anticipated B.C. will have over one million job openings.

Learn More:

* Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/

* Labour Market Partnerships Program: http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/labour_market_partnerships/welcome.htm

* Association for Mineral Exploration BC: www.amebc.ca

* Mining Association of BC: www.mining.bc.ca

* Aggregate Producers Association of BC: www.gravelbc.ca

Contacts:

Gordon Keast

Senior Public Affairs Officer

Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation

250 356-7104

Jonathan Buchanan

Director, Communications & Public Affairs

Association for Mineral Exploration BC

778 840-0620

jbuchanan@amebc.ca

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect