For small construction businesses - especially those in rural or remote areas - finding people to take over those businesses when an owner retires or wants to sell has become increasing difficult due to an aging population.

Finding new ways to ensure small construction firms, and the jobs they provide, continue to operate is the focus of a new business succession pilot program being launched by the BC Construction Association with support from the B.C. government's Labour Market Partnership Program. The BCCA is an employer-based construction association representing more than 2,000 businesses active in all areas of the construction industry.

The goal of this $121,000 program is to research the scope and unique nature of the succession issue in small construction companies with a particular focus on rural or remote areas of the province.

Phase 1 of the project will identify current services and supports and potential gaps for succession planning in the construction trades sector for small businesses. A provincial advisory committee, as well as regional advisory committees, will be established. The project will include the development of an implementation plan to pilot a new approach to succession planning in four, yet-to-be chosen communities.

It is anticipated the resulting plan will include recommendations on ways to match new immigrants with ownership opportunities in small construction businesses, as well as support business ownership by other under-represented groups including women, youth and the Aboriginal community.

This project is funded through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement.

Quick Facts:

• Small businesses in B.C. provide 57 per cent of private sector jobs and employ over a million people provincewide.
• There are over 390,000 small businesses in B.C. and 82 per cent employ fewer than five people.
• In 2010, small business was the source of 33 per cent of all wages paid to workers, which was the highest share of any province.

Learn More:

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

BC Construction Association: http://www.bccassn.com/

Labour Market Partnerships Program:

http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/sector-partnerships/labour-market-partnerships-program.htm

Contacts:

Caroline McAndrews
Communications Manager
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
250 208-3254

Colleen McConnell
Director of Communications
BC Construction Association
250 475-1077
250 418-5348 (cell)
colleen@bccassn.com