Contractor-supplier boot camps and Request for Proposal (RFP) seminars will be offered at five communities to prepare B.C. businesses for the opportunities liquefied natural gas (LNG) offers.

Delivered in partnership between the Ministry and Northern Development Initiative Trust, these workshops are an initiative of the LNG-Buy BC Program announced at the Union of B.C. Municipalities’ convention in 2013. The boot camps will help local businesses to understand the procurement opportunities and processes associated with major LNG projects. The RFP seminars will guide industry through the RFP processes that will help businesses bid on major contracts.

These three-hour boot camps are free to attend and open to all local businesses. The first of these will be held in:

• Kitimat - Tuesday, April 15
• Terrace - Wednesday, April 16

In May 2014, the B.C. government will host the second International LNG Conference and link British Columbians with the economic opportunities emerging today and into the future. The conference, Powering a Strong Economy: British Columbia's LNG in the Global Market, will be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre May 21-23, 2014.

The conference will have three key components: a conference, a trade show and an interactive career fair for youth. B.C. businesses will have an opportunity to showcase their capabilities at the trade show to drive business-to-business connections. Contractor-supplier boot camps and RFP seminars also will be held in Vancouver at the LNG conference on the trade show floor.

Additional boot camps and seminars may be offered in other communities if there is sufficient interest and demand.

Quotes:

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour - 

“We have an opportunity to create economic growth through the development of a new liquefied natural gas industry. We are focused on developing the LNG sector and building on our competitive advantage and also taking steps to ensure British Columbians are trained and first in line for these jobs.”

Rich Coleman, Minister of Natural Gas Development - 

“The LNG-Buy BC program will lead to partnerships for B.C's businesses to support the liquefied natural gas industry. We will ensure our business community is integrated into this sector so that they benefit from this generational opportunity, along with all British Columbians.”

Quick Facts:

• If five LNG facilities move forward, the cumulative gross domestic product benefit to British Columbia could total $1 trillion over 30 years.
• LNG export operations in B.C. could create over 100,000 jobs and new revenues for government to support a debt-free future.

Learn More at:

LNG-Buy BC website: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/lnginbc/lng-buy-bc-program/

LNG Conference website:  http://engage.gov.bc.ca/lnginbc/lng-conference/

BC Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/

Media Contacts:

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