December’s Job Makers showcase Vancouver Island employers and businesses who are helping to grow the area’s economy.

These Job Makers, representing diverse sectors from tourism, forestry, technology, creative industries, agrifoods and manufacturing are among the local businesses and employers revving the region’s economic engine.

This month’s highlights include all of our Vancouver Island Job Makers, as well as two new additions. The first, Inuktun Services of Nanaimo - http://ow.ly/VDN2H - headed by CEO Colin Dobell, designs and manufacturers remote robotic systems used in confined spaces and hazardous environments. It has grown from a small business of two in 1989 to a company with more than 50 employees and exports to 40 countries.

The second Job Maker, Cloudhead Games - http://ow.ly/VDNFX - develops Virtual Reality for the gaming and entertainment industry. Started in Coombs by Dennis Unger in 2012, Cloudhead is now moving to a larger facility in Qualicum Beach. It has grown to 15 employees and plans to double in size in 2016. Unger’s goal is to create a thriving tech industry on Vancouver Island.

There are eight other Vancouver Island Job Makers, including two from the Nanaimo area; Long Hoh Enterprises, a small specialty sawmill and Cedar Journey Caskets, a First Nations company which manufactures affordable caskets. In addition, Excel College is a growing Job Maker from the Comox Valley.

Other Job Makers include two cideries, Sea Cider Farm and Ciderhouse on the Saanich Peninsula and Merridale Cidery in the Cowichan Valley. The Moon Under Water Pub & Brewery, Accent Inns and MediaWorks, all located in Victoria, round out the Vancouver Island Job Makers.

B.C. Job Makers are the backbone of our economy and living proof that B.C. is a great place to do business. They provide an economic sense of certainty by investing in our province and building the economy to support British Columbia’s families.

Quote:

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

“Vancouver Island is a desirable region to work, live and play. Businesses locate there because of the skilled labour force and service offerings. Our Job Makers are what make Vancouver Island and B.C. so successful – they keep our economy diverse, strong and growing by investing in our communities and creating jobs. I am proud to showcase and promote their stories of success.”

Quick Facts:

• Vancouver Island/Coast accounts for 16.9% of B.C.’s total population.
• By 2024, the Vancouver Island/Coast region is expecting 158,900 jobs due to economic growth and retirements.
• The Island technology sector generates more than $3 billion in revenues, employing 18,000 people and contributing $4 billion to B.C.’s economic growth.
• There are more than 3,100 tourism-related businesses in the Vancouver Island/Coast region, employing 21,900 people and contributing an estimated $1.2 billion to the economy.

Learn More:

To read the BC Job Makers stories, please visit: www.bcjobsplan.ca

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

To view a photo of the Vancouver Island Job Makers, please click the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bcgovphotos/23595295865/in/album-72157626295711200/