"When I became Premier, I said I wanted British Columbians to participate more easily in the politics and services that affect their lives," said Premier Clark. "That's why we opened up the BC Jobs Plan website from the start, and that's why we talked to people about the issues that matter to them." 

To view Premier Clark's video summary of the Skills for BC engagement, visit: http://youtu.be/7K8TRHj6a6Q 

During the Skills for BC discussion more than 52,000 visitors went to the BC Jobs Plan website. 500 British Columbians contributed to the discussion and almost 200 ideas were submitted. Some ideas were already in motion and helped confirm government's direction. Others were new and needed to be assessed for things like cost and feasibility. 

The government of B.C. is acting on British Columbians' ideas to build B.C.'s skilled workforce and change perceptions about the trades. For example: 

• Harla's idea to build a one-stop shop for parents looking for more information about secondary schools with trades training programs: 
  http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/meet-skills4bc-contributor-harla-batinovic 

• Steve's idea for industry, government and technical schools to conduct surveys and collect data to better determine future skilled-labour market demands: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/meet-skills4bc-contributor-steve-tyliakos 

• Clint's idea to get more information to B.C.'s kids about the benefits of a trades career and reverse the negative idea that trades are a "second choice": http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/meet-skills4bc-contributor-clint-huntington/ 

More than 100 government actions and the ideas that inspired them are profiled on the Skills for BC's #Ideas2Actions web portal on: www.BCJobsPlan.ca 

"To everyone who contributed to the skills for BC discussion, I want to personally thank you for being a part of it. You really made a difference," said Premier Clark. 

For more information, visit:
http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/ideas-to-actions 

Quick Facts: 

Skills4BC discussion 

• 52,000 visits to the BC Jobs Plan website during the engagement period (fall 2012). 
• 417 comments and 80 emails from citizens from every region of the province. 
• 198 ideas. 
• Social media reached 4 million. 
• More than 100 government actions to build a skilled workforce and change perception of trades careers. 

BCJobsPlan.ca website 

• Since it was launched in September 2011, nearly 270,000 visitors averaged 4.5 minutes per visit and collectively viewed approximately 670,000 pages - an average of 2.5 page views per visit. 

• More than 1,000 comments were submitted on BCJobPlan.ca public forums and thousands more emails, tweets and direct Facebook messages for more information on services were sent to the GCPE Citizen Engagement Team. 

Learn More: 

18 month progress report: PDF

BC Jobs Plan: www.bcjobsplan.ca 

Media Contacts: 

Ben Chin 
Office of the Premier 
250 588-3113 

Media Relations 
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour 
250 387-2799