Seafood producers met with the provincial and federal governments today to discuss skilled-labour and human-resource planning, as part of a series of roundtables held earlier this year 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. British Columbia has reached a tipping point with fewer 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 BC’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 the agrifood seafood sector, specifically related to recruiting and training a qualified workforce, the promotion of export-ready products internationally and identifying opportunities for growth.

British Columbia has one of the most diverse agrifoods industries in Canada, producing more than 200 agriculture commodities and 100 seafood species, including a sustainable aquaculture sector that produces salmon, shellfish and other products enjoyed locally and around the globe.

Every year, British Columbia seafood is served in more than two billion meals worldwide. Close to 3,400 British Columbians work directly in the primary seafood sector, many in rural and remote communities.

The sector-specific roundtables are one of the ways the B.C. government is providing employers and industry the opportunity to discuss as well as inform the government of key labour issues.

Quotes:

Norm Letnick, Minister of Agriculture –

“B.C. seafood is respected and desired worldwide as great tasting and sustainably harvested. The seafood industry is an important employer in the agrifood sector, employing thousands of British Columbians, and it is a key part of B.C.’s growing economy. The B.C. government is committed to working with B.C.’s seafood industry to best meet their labour market needs and ensure seafood production as well as exports continue to grow in the future.”

Richard Harry, president, Aboriginal Aquaculture Association –

“First Nations are uniquely positioned to benefit from growth in the aquaculture sector, especially in remote coastal communities where economic opportunities are limited. The Aboriginal population is young; it is the fastest-growing segment of the Canadian population. Aboriginal youth can be the solution to the labour shortages faced by the aquaculture sector. Collectively we need to address the barriers to greater Aboriginal participation by developing training programs that meet the unique needs of the First Nation communities; mentoring, on-the-job training and technical training brought closer to First Nation communities.”

Jeremy Dunn, executive director, BC Salmon Farmers Association – 

“There is huge potential for B.C. aquaculture in the coming years to drive our coastal economy and help feed the world, however, developing a pathway for skilled labour to enter the sector and propel it forward is crucial for success.”

Quick Facts:

• Over 75% of British Columbia seafood is destined for export.
• In 2014, the wholesale value of B.C. seafood products grew to $1.44 billion. This is the second-highest level in the past 25 years.
• British Columbia exported 151,000 tonnes of seafood valued at $981 million. The top five export markets in 2014 were the United States ($541 million), China ($179 million), Japan ($108 million), Hong Kong ($31 million) and Vietnam ($18 million).
• Atlantic salmon ($255 million), crabs ($102 million) and sockeye salmon ($90 million) were the top three export products, followed by shrimp and prawns, geoduck clams and hake.

Learn More:

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

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

The B.C. Agrifood and Seafood Strategic Growth Plan: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/agriculture-and-seafood/strategic-growth-plan.pdf