Representatives from the international education sector met with the federal and provincial governments today to discuss skilled labour initiatives and human resource planning, as part of a series of roundtables being held over coming months with sectors highlighted in the BC Jobs Plan.

The roundtables, co-hosted with industry associations and employers, aim to stimulate discussion and create awareness about how sectors can access skilled labour and satisfy human-resource requirements, as a result an aging population. These demographic realities ─ together with economic growth ─ place significant pressure on key sectors to find innovative solutions to address skills shortages.

Participants were invited to share information and discuss the unique challenges in the international education sector, of attracting and retaining students from around the world who come to B.C. for its high-quality education and training.

This is another way government is working to provide employers and industry the opportunity to ask and respond to questions and inform the provincial and federal governments of key labour issues.

International Education is one of the eight key sectors in the BC Jobs Plan because of its social, cultural and economic benefits to the Province of British Columbia. Last year a total of 114,600 international students attended elementary, secondary schools, private language-training schools, public and private post-secondary institutions in B.C.

In 2013, international students spent nearly $2.3 billion on tuition, accommodation, other living expenses, arts, culture and recreation, which supported close to 25,500 jobs and had a positive effect on communities throughout the province.

The government launched BC’s International Education Strategy in 2012 to promote the two-way flow of students, educators and ideas between B.C. and partner countries.

Quotes:

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

“Through ongoing dialogue and sharing of ideas, we are working to address the shifting needs of B.C.’s labour market. This roundtable will provide an excellent forum to engage with key stakeholders and take a closer look at how our government as well as industry can continue to partner to meet employers’ labour market needs.”

Andrew Wilkinson, Minister of Advanced Education —

“Our government has an ambitious goal to increase the number of international students who select British Columbia as a study destination. It is imperative for the provincial government to continue working with federal government counterparts and industry representatives to ensure the two-way exchange of students, faculty and ideas is as smooth as possible. ”

Quick Facts:

• B.C. is reaching a tipping point where more people are leaving the workforce than entering it. That is why government is taking action now to address this rapidly changing labour market.
• Canada enrols approximately 5% of all international students in the world, while B.C. hosts nearly one-third of all international students in Canada.
• The top five countries with students attending all school types at the K-12, post-secondary and language schools levels are:
  • 1. China: 28,700 students
  • 2. South Korea: 13,600 students
  • 3. Japan: 13,500 students
  • 4. Brazil: 8,900 students
  • 5. Saudi Arabia: 6,200 students

Learn More:

International students in B.C.: https://news.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/factsheet-international-students-in-bc

BC Jobs Plan, International Education Strategy: http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/internationaleducation/welcome.htm

B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: www.workbc.ca/skills

BC Jobs Plan: www.engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/