The Government of British Columbia released the BC Jobs Plan 3-Year Progress Update today with a renewed focus on strategic priorities to grow the economy and create long-term, well-paying jobs that strengthen families and communities.  Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour and Greg Kyllo, Parliamentary Secretary for the BC Jobs Plan made the announcement while visiting Saltworks Technologies today.

The Jobs Plan strengthens B.C.’s unique competitive advantages and sets targets to help drive new investment and economic growth, which support job creation across these eight sectors: Agrifoods, Forestry, International Education, Mining and Energy, Natural Gas, Technology and Green Economy, Tourism and Transportation.

This year, there is new focus on four cross-sector areas of strategic priority: Aboriginal Peoples and First Nations, International Trade, Manufacturing and Small Business. These four areas work together to help drive economic growth and job creation across the eight sectors of the Jobs Plan.

Jobs Plan progress is being demonstrated by the near record 2.3 million people working in B.C., the $3.9 billion in economic growth last year, the $7.2 billion in economic expansion and the 50,000 new jobs since 2011. Of the original 19 targets set out in the Jobs Plan, 11 have been met and the remaining eight are on schedule to be achieved between now and 2020.

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The BC Jobs Plan was launched in 2011 as the government’s strategy to grow B.C.’s economy and enable job creation.

The complete BC Jobs Plan 3-Year Update can be found on the updated website, www.bcjobsplan.ca. Details can be found on the progress made on the original Jobs Plan targets and the commitments made in the 24-Month Update. The website also profiles BC Jobs Makers - people and companies that fuel the B.C. economy.

The BC Jobs Plan 3-Year Update delivers on the government commitment to grow the economy by creating more opportunities for everyone by addressing five points:

1. Control spending and remain committed to fiscal responsibility.
2. Open new markets and attract new investment
3. Leverage our existing strengths.
4. Realize the incredible opportunity of Liquefied Natural Gas.
5. Prepare British Columbians to be first-in-line for job opportunities through skills training.

Quotes:

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

“The BC Jobs Plan laid out ambitious goals across numerous sectors in our province. The 3-Year Update outlines our progress to date and includes additional priority targets to help grow the economy and create jobs. We will continue our focus on controlling spending, opening new markets, attracting investment and ensuring British Columbians are first in line for job opportunities.”

Greg Kyllo, Parliamentary Secretary for the BC Jobs Plan -

“Lots of great progress has been made in achieving B.C.’s economic goals and we continue to seek new ways to grow our economy and support job creation. The BC Jobs Plan is working to ensure B.C. remains one of the most economically secure places in the world for generations to come.”

Ben Sparrow, CEO, Saltworks Technologies -

“BC Government programs have been instrumental in our growth - all linked to creating jobs for the future. Saltworks has hired dozens of young people in the last two years. A number of these positions were supported through the excellent “BC Government Get Youth Working” program. We also used the BC Provincial Nomination Program to secure work visas for highly skilled and experienced foreign talent. These new British Columbians are accelerating our growth internationally, creating even more BC jobs. We look to the future, where invented-in-BC and made-in-BC technologies are providing a healthy economy and environment for all British Columbians.”

Quick Facts:

• New BC Jobs Plan commitments include:
  • Promote B.C.’s exportable services like technology, tourism and education.
  • Support growth in Aboriginal small business, which represents an opportunity for meaningful job creation.
  • Work with exporters to expand opportunities in B.C.’s priority international markets.
  • Prepare British Columbians for the jobs of the future; ensuring industry has access to a skilled B.C. workforce.
• In 2013, B.C. exported $33.4 billion of goods, an increase of 32% from 2009.
• Three major Premier’s trade missions to Asian markets have resulted in business deals and partnership agreements valued at over $1.8 billion.
• By 2022, B.C. is expecting one million job openings in B.C.
• Based on a scenario with five LNG plants constructed in B.C. between 2015-2024, the LNG sector has the potential for $175 billion in industry investment over the next decade and up to 100,000 new construction and operations jobs.
• At peak construction in 2018, the LNG sector will require 58,700 workers.

Learn More:

• To find out more about the BC Jobs Plan, visit: www.bcjobsplan.ca 
• For more information on B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint visit: www.workbc.ca/skills

Media Contacts:

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