Canadians of all ages will find fun, interactive ways to explore career opportunities as well as learn about all that B.C.’s northern communities have to offer at Northern B.C.’s Career Zone, launched today at the 2015 Canada Winter Games.

Team BC athletes were on hand today to join Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, Mike Morris, MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie and other partners to open the Northern BC Career Zone and explore the site.

With an estimated 2,400 athletes and 15,000 visitors attending the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George, the Northern BC Career Zone will showcase B.C.'s northern communities as a great place to go to college and university, train, and raise a family while supporting the labour market needs of businesses in the North.

Youth who are just beginning to think about potential careers and adults looking for fresh options will be connected with WorkBC’s labour market information, job opportunities, tools and services. Interactive, hands-on activities will enable participants to try their hand at different skills, explore careers, get advice and start planning for the future and use WorkBC’s new career-planning tool My Blueprint Builder.

Government is working to help everyone find their fit in a strong and growing economy. The Northern BC Career Zone aligns with key actions identified in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: Re-engineering Education and Training by helping put British Columbians first in line to fill the one million job openings expected by 2022.

The Northern BC Career Zone will feature WorkBC.ca, Find Your Fit., the Industry Training Authority, Initiatives Prince George, the University of Northern British Columbia and College of New Caledonia. Careers in the BC Public Service will be highlighted. 

(flickr.com)

Quotes:

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

“Our commitment through the BC Jobs Plan to grow B.C.’s economy and enable job creation is leading to tremendous opportunities in northern B.C. The Northern BC Career Zone will provide Canada Winter Games attendees with the tools and resources to consider life in B.C.’s booming northern communities and the full range of in-demand career options available to them there.”

Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development -

“The Canada Winter Games is a perfect place to showcase the beauty of northern B.C. and to highlight the many career paths and economic opportunities available to those who choose to live and work here.  I encourage all athletes and visitors to the Games to drop by the Northern BC Career Zone and see for themselves all the north has to offer.”

Mike Morris, MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie -

 “Our region is on the cusp of economic growth and our communities are a great place for people to raise their families and pursue rewarding careers. The Northern BC Career Zone will expose residents and visitors alike to many exciting and rewarding job options.”

Rob Needham, chef de mission, TeamBC -

“Team BC athletes demonstrate commitment and leadership to their sport on a daily basis. They are our future community leaders and it will be a great benefit for them to learn about education and career opportunities in B.C.”

Henry Reiser, president, College of New Caledonia -

“The College of New Caledonia is thrilled to be part of such an exciting and historical event in Prince George. We’re proud of our city and grateful for the chance to present Prince George and our region as a great place to live and visit. With the recent release of the B.C. 2022 Labour Market Outlook, we’re looking at an abundance of job opportunities in B.C. within the next seven years, many of which CNC offers training for.”

Daniel Weeks, president, UNBC -

“The Northern BC Career Zone provides the University of Northern British Columbia an excellent opportunity to engage with prospective students from across the country. UNBC is educating the next generation of Northern leaders by providing them with the knowledge they need to succeed and the ability to discover new opportunities.”

Heather Oland, CEO, Initiatives

“Prince George is the largest city in one of the fastest growing regions in the country. With one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, Prince George offers many trades and professional career opportunities for Canadians, whether they are the athletes competing at the 2015 Canada Winter Games or people from across the country learning about Prince George for this first time.”

“We are very pleased to be welcoming so many visitors to Prince George and to have the opportunity to show them through www.moveupprincegeorge.ca how Prince George can offer them everything from quality education, to fulfilling careers, to an improved quality of life with more free time and discretionary income, to fantastic sports, arts, and cultural opportunities.”

Gary Herman, CEO, Industry Training Authority -

“By 2022, there are expected to be a million job openings in British Columbia. These jobs openings will create major new opportunities in Northern British Columbia, including expanding liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the Northwest region, gas plant construction in the Northeast, and pipeline construction throughout the entire North. ITA is committed to building a skilled workforce to help ensure that British Columbians have the skills they need to be first in line for the many opportunities across the province.”

Quick Facts:

• By 2022, B.C. is expecting one million job openings in B.C. created by retirements and our growing economy.
• More than 78% of jobs will require some form of post-secondary education, and 44% will needs skilled trades and technical workers.
• Based on a scenario with five LNG plants constructed in B.C. between 2015 and 2024, the LNG sector has the potential for $175 billion in industry investment over the next decade and up to 100,000 jobs (58,700 direct and indirect construction jobs, 23,800 permanent direct and indirect jobs for operations, and thousands more of induced jobs as a result of households having more income).
• At peak construction in 2018, the LNG sector is expected to require 58,700 workers.

Learn More:

To find out more information about Find Your Fit, visit: www.findyourfittour.ca

To learn more about WorkBC, visit: http://www.workbc.ca/

For more information on B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, visit: http://www.workbc.ca/skills

To find out more about the BC Jobs Plan, visit: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/

To learn more about BC Public Service careers, visit:
https://search.employment.gov.bc.ca/cgi-bin/a/searchjobs_quick.cgi

Media Contacts:

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