Sixty people on northern Vancouver Island are beginning a 25-week training program to learn the skills necessary to work as aquaculture technicians in the aquaculture industry.

Our government is supporting a new Labour Market Sector Solutions project with the BC Salmon Farmers Association, which is designed to help participant's secure permanent employment in the aquaculture industry while helping local employers meet labour demands.

The aquaculture technician diploma program is being offered by Excel Career College in three areas of Vancouver Island: Port Alberni, Port Hardy and Campbell River. Aquaculture employers in these areas are in demand for skilled workers, but potential employees have had little access to relevant skills training, as the program is currently offered only in Courtenay.

This intensive program creates additional opportunities for these communities to offer training to local participants, while meeting local demand. As part of the program, participants will be placed with local aquaculture employers for a two-week practicum and will be assisted with longer-term job search activities.

The aquaculture technician diploma program is supported by $458,200 in funding through the Canada - British Columbia Labour Market Agreement.

Quotes:

Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation -

"Our government's top priority is creating and protecting jobs for British Columbians. This aquaculture training program will not only help employers on Vancouver Island address their demand for skilled workers, but it will also provide British Columbians in more remote communities on Vancouver Island the opportunity to train in this industry and find a job."

Don McRae, Minister of Agriculture -

"Aquaculture is a half-billion dollar industry in British Columbia, providing jobs and economic opportunities for families and communities up and down the Coast. Providing training for the next generation of workers is part of our Agri-food strategy, to increase B.C.'s overall agri-food revenues to $14 billion annually by 2017."

Mary Ellen Walling, executive director, BC Salmon Farmers Association -

"This project is very helpful to our members and similar businesses, as it enables the development of skill-specific training and creates a pool of skilled people interested in working in the industry. It's of particular benefit to people in the smaller geographic regions where we operate. As we anticipate continued growth in the sector, we expect a continued demand for skilled employees."

Quick Facts:

• The objective of the Labour Market Sector Solutions program is to invest in the skills development of eligible participants, while assisting industries/sectors, employers and workers to address labour market needs throughout B.C.

• Participants must be Labour Market Agreement eligible - meaning they are unemployed, non-Employment Insurance individuals, or are employed, low-skilled individuals.

• Over the next decade, British Columbia is projected to have over one million job openings. The BC Jobs Plan will ensure the over $500 million provided annually for labour market and training programs is targeted to meeting regional and industry labour market needs.

• B.C. invests approximately $66 million a year - between 2008 and 2014 - in programs and services that help people get the skills they need to fill job opportunities in regions where they live and study. These programs and services are funded through the Canada-BC Labour Market Agreement.

Learn More:

Read the BC Agrifoods Strategy here: http://www.gov.bc.ca/agri/agrifoodsstrategy.html

For more information on the Canada - British Columbia Labour Market Agreement, visit: http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/labourmarketagreement/

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

Looking for a one-stop resource for the working world? Visit WorkBC: http://www.workbc.ca/

Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
250 356-7104