The British Columbia government announced today an investment of more than $55,000 to help identify labour needs in the aerospace industry.

Today, in celebration of Manufacturing Week in B.C., government announced a new partnership with the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC), which will lead the BC Aerospace Labour Market Industry Engagement Project.

B.C.’s aerospace sector is the third-largest in Canada generating approximately $1.3 billion of British Columbia’s gross domestic product, which is why it is critical for the sector to have the skilled workforce it needs to thrive in B.C.’s economy.

The Aerospace Industries Association of Canada- Pacific division (AIACP) will work with and bring together various organizations that contribute to B.C.’s aerospace sector to identify its unique labour needs, as well as factors that shape its workforce. The aerospace sub-sectors engaged in the project include:

• Space and remote sensing
• In-service support (ISS), and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO)
• Aviation training and simulation
• Special mission aircraft
• Advanced manufacturing

This project is the first phase of a potentially broader initiative that will help ensure that B.C.’s aerospace sector has the necessary skilled workforce to continue to grow.

This partnership is funded through the Sector Labour Market Partnerships program under the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement. The program helps employers understand and respond to changing labour-market demands, ensuring that training and education programs in B.C. are aligned with industry’s labour-market needs and priorities.

(flickr.com)

Quotes:

Greg Kyllo, parliamentary secretary for the BC Jobs Plan to the Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training –

“B.C.’s aerospace sector is part of our diverse manufacturing sector, and it is an important contributor to B.C.’s economy, providing thousands of high-skill, well-paying jobs.

“Our government remains committed to promote and develop the aerospace sector in B.C., and the project we have with AIAC is an example of how we continue to work with our partners to meet their labour needs.”

Mike Mueller, vice-president, Aerospace Industries Association of Canada - Pacific division (AIACP) –

"All sectors have challenges regarding labour market and we are delighted to work with the Province and our members in identifying those in the aerospace industry and finding solutions to help continue the growth in B.C. Working with the Province, we will continue to ensure our sector's competitiveness by both implementing strategies to meet the labour need of the future and building the burgeoning aerospace cluster in B.C."

Quick Facts:

• The aerospace sector in B.C. employs more than 8,000 people.
• Globally, 39,600 new aircraft, valued at $5.9 trillion, are expected to be needed over the next 20 years – with approximately 38% of all new airplanes delivered to the Asia Pacific region.
• Aerospace is part of the advanced manufacturing sector in B.C., which is a key part of the BC Jobs Plan.

Learn More:

Sector Labour Market Partnerships Program: www.workbc.ca/sectorlabourmarketpartnerships

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

B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: https://www.workbc.ca/Training-Education/B-C-s-Skills-for-Jobs-Blueprint.aspx

B.C. 2025 Labour Market Outlook: https://www.workbc.ca/Statistics/Labour-Market.aspx

Aerospace Industries Association of Canada: http://aiac.ca/

Aerospace Industries Association of Canada—Pacific Division: http://aiacpacific.ca/

Avcorp Industries Inc.: http://www.avcorp.com/

Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters: http://bc.cme-mec.ca/