Study shows Northwest B.C. to experience economic boom due to construction of new transmission line, other projects

- Human resources strategy released to address skilled labour shortage

TERRACE - Labour market research released today shows BC Hydro's Northwest Transmission Line will be an economic catalyst for the region - electrifying an area of the province currently not part of the grid and enabling the development of mines, power projects and other resource projects that will help fuel B.C.'s economy.

The Northwest Transmission Line alone will create up to an estimated 280 direct jobs per year of construction.

In total, projects in Northwest B.C. could create about 5,700 jobs between 2011 and 2021, according to labour market research conducted through the Northwest Transmission Line Labour Market Partnership Program. The program is funded by the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, and BC Hydro is a partner, providing services in kind.

Also released today was an action-oriented human resources strategy to ensure that Northwest communities and industries will be ready to attract the thousands of workers required for the projects. The strategy was produced by a steering committee made up of representatives from education, training, industry, community, government and First Nations.

The steering committee studied the gap between the existing labour force and the anticipated labour force requirements over the next 10 years, and recommended human resources strategies to ensure the Northwest is ready to take advantage of the employment opportunities that will become available, with many of its recommendations to be acted on this year.

Quotes:

Rick Brouwer, Northwest Transmission Line Labour Market Partnership Steering Committee representative -

"Our goal is for workers from the Northwest, including First Nations people, to be the cornerstone of a sustainable labour force, able to fill industry needs wherever possible. By working together regionally, we will maximize the economic benefits from the Northwest Transmission Line and other major resource projects."

Rob McPhee, Vice-Chair of the Tahltan Nation Development Corporation -

"The labour market analysis shows that First Nations are largely an untapped employment resource in the Northwest. With skills training, they can meet these capital projects' needs and play a vital role in powering the economy of the province."

Human Resources Strategy Highlights:

Maximize opportunities for already trained, local workers to meet the needs of major projects

• Develop a regional website/information portal for jobs, workforce and business information.
• Develop a workforce opportunity promotion campaign targeting local people
• Fund a community human resources co-ordinator.
• Develop and implement a recruitment package that targets trained locals working elsewhere and workers across Canada.
• Develop formal partnerships between major project owners, contractors and local groups.
• Develop an education, training and development plan to ensure local people are workforce-ready.

Initiate an industry/training organization peak demand summit.

Develop an industry/education cooperation program.

Improve access to regional training, certifications and apprenticeship programs for high-demand occupations.

Statistics and Facts:

• The Northwest Transmission Line will be a 344-kilometre, 287-kilovolt transmission line between Skeena Substation near Terrace and a new substation near Bob Quinn Lake. The line will be in service by spring 2014.
• The NTL will provide a source of electricity to potential mining projects in the area and an interconnection point for the AltGas Forrest Kerr run-of-river hydro-electric project. These developments will provide long term job opportunities in the region. Strong labour demand is also coming from other projects, including the Rio Tinto Alcan modernization project, and the Kitimat liquefied natural gas plant/pipeline project.
• Collectively, capital projects in the region are expected to account for more than $7.5 billion in construction alone by 2014.
  
• Phase 1 of the Labour Market Partnership Program included labour market analysis and the development of a human resources strategy encompassing recruiting and training. Phase 2 of the program will focus on implementation of the HR strategy.

Learn More:

To read the Labour Market Partnership Program's labour market analysis and HR strategy, please visit www.bchydro.com/energy_in_bc/projects/ntl.html.

Media Contacts:

Caroline McAndrews
Communications Manager
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
250 356-0613

BC Hydro
Media Relations
604 928-6468
www.bchydro.com/media

BACKGROUNDER

Jan. 26, 2012 Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation

BC Hydro

Northwest Transmission Line Labour Market Partnership Program

Labour Market Research Highlights

After a number of years of decline in key industries, Northwest B.C.'s economy is expected to grow faster than the rest of the province.

• Several factors are driving economic growth, including growing markets in China and Asia, resource industries' market diversification beyond the United States, strong commodity pricing, and increasing demand for clean energy.

The immediate need for workers comes from construction of major power projects in Northwest B.C., including BC Hydro's Northwest Transmission Line and the independent Forrest Kerr power project. Strong labour demand is also coming from nearby projects, including the Red Chris Mine, the Rio Tinto Alcan modernization project, and the Kitimat liquefied natural gas plant/pipeline project.

Trades, transportation, and equipment operations and related occupations account for approximately 63 per cent of expected jobs.

Competition for skilled workers will be fierce, with Northeastern B.C., Northern Alberta, the Yukon, Northern Saskatchewan and Northern Manitoba also expecting to see significant growth in the natural resource industries.

Local people are available to fill many of the jobs, but a mismatch often exists between the skills of potential workers and the needs of employers.

Training for many of these high-demand occupations is only available outside of the Northwest.

Currently, only six per cent of the region's labour market is employed in construction. Northwest B.C.'s construction industry will need to attract more workers if it hopes to meet hiring requirements for planned projects.

A pool of trained labour from the region is currently working elsewhere and could be recruited to help address workforce needs.

While Northwest residents can fill some of the labour demand, the Northwest cannot provide all of the needed labour, and other strategies will have to be considered to develop and attract new skilled workers to the Northwest and encourage them to become a permanent part of the communities.

Media Contacts:

Caroline McAndrews
Communications Manager
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
250 356-0613

BC Hydro
Media Relations
604 928-6468
www.bchydro.com/media