Agrifoods processors 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.

British Columbia’s agrifoods sector is one of the most diverse in Canada. It provides the province with a competitive advantage and a wide range of opportunities for growth and innovation in agriculture, commercial fishing and aquaculture, as well as food and beverage processing.

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 of an aging population. British Columbia has reached a tipping point with less young people entering the workforce than older workers leaving it.

These demographic realities - together with economic growth - place significant pressure on key sectors to find innovative solutions to address skills shortages. Through B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, the Province is helping British Columbians get the skills they need to be first in line for these job openings.

Roundtable participants were invited to share information and discuss the unique challenges faced by processors in the agrifoods sector, specifically related to recruiting and training a qualified workforce, the promotion of B.C.’s export-ready products internationally and identifying opportunities for growth.

The sector-specific roundtables are 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.

Quotes:

Norm Letnick, Minister of Agriculture –

“B.C.’s food processors play a key role in B.C. families enjoying high-quality, locally made food products, and as one of the largest manufacturing sectors in the province, are a key economic driver. With $8.5 billion in manufacturers’ shipments in 2014, the B.C. government recognizes the importance in working with industry to best meet the labour market needs of this important sector.”

James Donaldson, CEO, BC Food Processors Association –

“I was glad to hear that the Ministries were engaging our industry on this important topic.  Availability of labour as well as skills development and training is a critical component to processors ongoing competitiveness and with over 28,000 people employed in food-and-beverage processing in B.C., understanding the various resources and programs that the government provides to support them is also critical. Having a forum like this will be an effective way to identify not only industry challenges and issues, but also opportunities and solutions.”

Quick Facts:

• In 2014, British Columbia food-and-beverage processors’ sales reached $8.5 billion, an increase of 7.2% over the previous year.
• British Columbia has more than 1,800 food and beverage manufacturing operations throughout the province.
• In 2014, the agrifoods sector generated almost $12.3 billion in total revenue.
• British Columbia has some of the most diverse agrifoods industries in Canada, producing more than 200 agriculture commodities and 100 seafood species.
• Over 75 % of British Columbia seafood is destined for export.

Learn More:

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

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