Young people considering what skills they will need for tomorrow's in-demand occupations will have an opportunity for interactive, hands-on experience at WorkBC's Find Your Fit tour stop at the Abbotsford Airport’s Shell Aerocentre, 1255 Townline Rd. on Saturday, March 7. 

Find Your Fit is an interactive event where individuals of all ages can find out about careers in demand throughout the province, learn about online resources to help them find work and even try some of the skills they will need for different careers. Attendees, especially youth who are just beginning to think about potential careers, will be connected with WorkBC's labour market information, tools and services. Parents, teachers and career counsellors may also benefit from the event as they look for ways to educate and support youth in their career exploration.

Members of the community are invited to participate in the Find Your Fit event from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at no cost.

Find Your Fit is part of B.C.'s Skills for Jobs Blueprint commitment to re-engineer education and deliver the skilled workforce B.C.'s growing economy needs. It is also an integral part of seven Regional LNG Energy Seminars currently taking place throughout B.C. More than 20,000 students have taken part in the tour so far, most recently in Vanderhoof and Quesnel.

The activation will also coincide with The Sky’s No Limit — Girls Fly Too!, in celebration of International Women’s Day and Women of Aviation Worldwide Week. With over 10,000 girls and women expected from around the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley families will get to meet leaders in aviation and aerospace and see first-hand how aircraft are built and maintained while engaging in fun games and learning activities.

In last year’s budget, the B.C. government committed $5 million over five years to develop and grow B.C.’s aerospace industry in partnership with the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) Pacific. B.C.’s aerospace sector will continue to need workers to meet its projected growth targets.

The Asia Pacific region alone will need more than 200,000 additional pilots over the next two decades, 40% of the world’s total. B.C. has some of the best terrain and weather conditions in the world to train pilots. As a result, B.C. has some of the best pilot training schools to meet the future demand.

Quotes:

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

“Through B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, we are committed to preparing the skilled workforce that our growing economy needs. The Find Your Fit tour will ensure that our youth have the tools and resources necessary to consider the full range of in-demand occupations available to them. With the aerospace industry a key sector in B.C., it’s exciting to be part of the Girls Fly Too! event and I hope more young women will consider this industry as a career choice.”

Peter Fassbender, Minister of Education −

“We're working with school districts to make sure students have the opportunity to start career experiences earlier so they are better prepared for the skills and trades jobs of the future.”

Rich Coleman, Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing and Deputy Premier -

“In B.C., we have more than 160 aerospace companies looking for workers in an industry that generates $2.4 billion revenue annually and employs more than 8,300 British Columbians. The Sky’s No Limit — Girls Fly Too! event is a great opportunity for girls and women to learn first-hand about our aerospace sector.”

Michael de Jong, MLA for Abbotsford West −

“Youth of today can explore what kind of jobs are available in the aerospace and aviation industry and start to think about a potential career. This weekend will be a great opportunity for young people, especially girls and young women, to imagine themselves working in this exciting industry.”

Darryl Plecas, MLA for Abbotsford South − 

“The aerospace industry is growing quickly in our province, which will create many valuable job opportunities and new career paths for young British Columbians. The Sky’s No Limit - Girls Fly Too! is an engaging, interactive event that gives women of all ages a hands-on introduction to the aerospace industry, encouraging them to consider a future working at the airports and in the skies of British Columbia.”

Simon Gibson, MLA for Abbotsford-Mission −

“You’re never too young to be inspired. The Find Your Fit tour gives young people hands-on experience with vocations they might have never thought about - until now. It’s my hope that students will come away from this event brimming with new ideas about their futures.”

Quick Facts:

• By 2022, B.C. is expecting one million job openings, created by retirements and the province’s growing economy.
• More than 78% of jobs will require some form of post-secondary education, and 44% will need skilled trades and technical workers.
• In last year’s budget, the Province committed $5 million over five years to develop and grow B.C.’s aerospace industry in partnership with the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) Pacific.
• B.C. has some of the best terrain and weather conditions in the world to train pilots. As a result, the province has some of the best pilot training schools to meet the future demand.
• The Asia Pacific region alone will need more than 200,000 additional pilots over the next two decades, 40% of the world’s total.

Learn More at:

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

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

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

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

Media Contacts:

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