From native burial caskets to modern motels, this month’s BC Job Makers features Vancouver Island businesses building investments, jobs and opportunities to keep our economy strong and growing.

Here, we tell the stories of four unique business ventures, each investing in its community.

A North Island Career College partners with First Nations to offer new aquaculture programs - a Victoria tech company doubles staff. These BC Job Makers ─ http://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/job-makers/ ─ show how real people are creating real jobs and making a difference in communities and in the province.

By profiling BC Job Makers, government is showing the diversity and strength of the economy while giving entrepreneurs a venue to share their success stories. BC Job Makers are tied together by an inspiration and a belief that together individual efforts can grow the economy and strengthen families and communities.

BC’s May Job Makers include:

MediaCore - Victoria high tech company helps educators flip classrooms worldwide:
http://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/job-makers/victoria-based-mediacore-set-to-double-staff/

Cedar Journeys Caskets - Hand-painted caskets pay tribute to native heritage: 
http://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/job-makers/customized-caskets-pay-tribute-to-first-nations-culture/

Accent Inn/Hotel Zed - Hotel Zed brings new approach to the Victoria motel scene:
http://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/job-makers/from-a-to-zed-accent-inns-to-hotel-zed/

Excel Career College - Award-winning career college has unique aquaculture program:
http://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/job-makers/award-winning-career-college-offers-unique-aquaculture-program/

Why It Matters:

BC Job Makers provide an economic sense of certainty by investing in the province and building the economy to support British Columbia’s families.

Government is showing the power of “yes” by profiling BC Job Makers that are driving the economy forward. What ties all these stories together is inspiration — for an idea, for an investment.

If you run a company, or know of a company or person you think should be featured as a BC Job Maker, contact: bcjobmakers@gov.bc.ca

Quotes:

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

“BC Job Makers are building a diverse and strong economy on Vancouver Island. The stories of these individuals and previous Job Makers profiled offer British Columbians the chance to learn about successful businesses that are creating jobs all around the province.”

Quick Facts:

• Tourism is one of the largest industries in the province with over 19,200 businesses and accounting for $7.3 billion (4%) of British Columbia’s overall GDP in 2013.
• First Nations represent 5.4% of B.C.’s population. There are almost 1,200 native-owned businesses in the province.
• In 2012, technology was the third-largest economic contributor to B.C.’s GDP at 7.6%.
• In 2012, more than 9,000 technology companies were operating, providing over 84,000 jobs.
• Currently, B.C.’s agrifoods industry accounts for 60,000 jobs, bringing in about $11 billion in annual revenue.

Learn More:

To see the BC Job Makers, please visit: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/bc-stories/

Media Contacts:

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