The North Fraser region will be bursting with job opportunities over the next decade, according to a Labour Market Partnership study commissioned by Invest North Fraser and funded by the provincial government.

The $111,000 study took six months and laid out labour market opportunities in five sectors in the North Fraser region, including Maple Ridge, Mission and Pitt Meadows. The five sectors that were researched were: agriculture/forestry, tourism, manufacturing, education and advanced technology.

Some of the keys findings and opportunities were:

• Over the next 10 years, employers in the five industry sectors predict they will grow by more than 15,000 new employees.
• Over the next 10 years, just under two-thirds (60%) of new hires will require some form of post-secondary education.
• Businesses can focus on three key areas to attract new businesses or to encourage business expansion:
  • Employee quality of life
  • Business-friendly government
  • Accessible and affordable transit

The study also offered five recommendations under two categories: Workforce attraction, and Training and skills development:

Workforce attraction:

• Formalize/maintain a formal group to oversee human resource issues in the region.
• Continue to develop and foster a means for employers to communicate their training needs to the training bodies.
• Consider sector specific targeted recruitment/attraction strategies.

Training and skills development:

• Develop a regional labour force training committee.
• Develop a strategy to attract recent graduates of B.C. post-secondary institutions.

Quotes:

Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation Don McRae −

“A Labour Market Partnership is a great investment for all concerned. These surveys will benefit job seekers for years to come by bringing together these neighbouring communities as they strategize on how to best take advantage of work and training opportunities over the next decade.”

Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Marc Dalton −

“The three communities that banded together and took part in this study will benefit for years to come. This report lays out the blueprint for prosperity and employment in five vital sectors in the North Fraser region.”

Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows MLA Dr. Doug Bing −

“This is great news for Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and the North Fraser region. It sets a blueprint for the next 10 years as to where this region’s focus should be, its strengths and its employment and training opportunities.”

Abbotsford-Mission MLA Simon Gibson −

“This Labour Market Partnership study for the North Fraser region will benefit the future of this area. It gives us a clear idea of where our focus in the workforce should be and the increasing importance of education.”

City of Maple Ridge manager of strategic economic initiatives Sandy Blue −

“The North Fraser economic partners are delighted that for the first time ever we have quantitative information specific to our region and our key sectors. The region is growing and the data in this report will help business, industry and education as they work together with government to address the needs and seize the opportunities identified in the labour market study. On behalf of North Fraser Education Task Force and Education Steering Committee chair Marlyn Graziano and the members of these project teams, I’d like to express our appreciation to the Province for the funding and support they have provided us to enable us to undertake this important project.”

Quick Facts:

• Labour Market Partnerships are a component of the Employment Program of BC’s Community and Employer Partnerships fund for projects that share labour market information and increase employability throughout the province.
• Labour Market Partnerships help local employers, employee and employer associations, and communities develop ways to deal with worker shortages or changes in the job market so they can prepare for the future.
• Projects that provide opportunities for people who are often disadvantaged in the workforce, such as people with disabilities, Aboriginal people and youth, are encouraged.
• Nearly 500 employers took part in the North Fraser labour market survey to delve into job vacancies, workforce profile (age, retirements) and training needs.
• In 2014-15, the ministry has committed to investing $331 million in employment and labour market programs under the Employment Program of BC.
• The Employment Program of BC is funded by the Province of British Columbia as well as the Government of Canada through the Labour Market Development Agreement.
• The Community and Employer Partnerships program is featured in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint that helps align training and education with in-demand jobs and provides more support to people who are struggling to gain a foothold in the job market or who face unique challenges.
• Funding supports 85 WorkBC Employment Services Centres throughout the province and the four components of the Community and Employer Partnerships fund:
  • Job Creation Partnerships
  • Labour Market Partnerships
  • Project-Based Labour Market Training
  • Research and Innovation

Who is eligible?

• Businesses
• Non-profit organizations
• Crown corporations
• Municipalities, agencies or territorial governments
• Bands/tribal councils
• Public health and educational institutions

Learn More:

To see the report: www.investnorthfraser.com

For more information on Community and Employer Partnerships: www.workbc.ca/CEP

Find a local WorkBC Employment Services Centre: www.workbccentres.ca

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

Learn more about the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation: www.gov.bc.ca/sdsi

Media Contacts:

Grant Kerr
Ministry of Social Development
and Social Innovation
250 387-5635