The B.C. government has committed more than $45,000 for a new partnership project with manufacturers in the province’s North Central region to help identify their labour needs.

Led by Harbour Digital Media, the North Central BC Manufacturing Sector Labour Market Information Project will bring together key organizations from the Cariboo and Nechako economic development regions to identify their unique labour needs as well as factors that shape their workforce. This project is expected to finish in February 2017.

B.C.’s manufacturing sector is the third-largest contributor to the economy in British Columbia and a key part of the BC Jobs Plan, generating $15 billion in revenue and supporting approximately 172,500 jobs. In addition to the North Central manufacturing project announced today, the government has also committed more than $160,000 for the Vancouver Island Manufacturing Sector Labour Market Information Project to help manufacturers on the Island develop a comprehensive labour market strategy.

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.

Quotes:

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour and MLA for Prince George-Valemont –

“The manufacturing sector is a key area of focus in our BC Jobs Plan and an important contributor to our Province’s diverse, strong and growing economy. With the almost one million job openings projected by 2025, we want to ensure that manufacturers in B.C can meet the growing labour market demand.  This Labour Market Partnership project with Cariboo and Nechako manufacturers is an example of how we are working with the sector to help them get the skilled workforce they need to thrive in our province.”

Mike Morris, MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie –

“I’m happy to hear that the B.C. government is expanding their support for manufacturers in our region through the new Sector Labour Market Partnership project announced today. The collaboration between Harbour Digital Media and our local manufacturers will not only benefit employers and workers, but future job seekers in our community as well.”

Coralee Oakes, MLA for Cariboo North –

“Each region in B.C. is shaped by different economic drivers and has unique labour needs. In our region, the forestry industry, paper production and wood product manufacturing have been important providers of jobs and revenue for residents. I’m excited about the new Sector Labour Market Partnership Project announced today, as Harbour Digital Media and our regional manufacturers work together to overcome their labour challenges.”

John Juricic, owner of Harbour Digital Media –

“As a long-term advocate for industry and economic development, it is exciting to be involved in an extremely positive and encouraging labour market project helping organize and aggregate the labour market issues for the Cariboo and Nechako communities.

“Generally recognized as the economic engine for the province, manufacturers in this region are encouraged and optimistic to be able to communicate their labour market issues to government and work towards solving and dealing with them directly, within a sustainable, constructive and long-term framework.”

Quick Facts:

• Manufacturing contributes more than $15 billion to the B.C. economy – approximately 7.2% of the total Canadian manufacturing gross domestic product (GDP).
• There are approximately 7,225 manufacturing companies in British Columbia.
• In 2015, there were approximately 172,500 people employed in the manufacturing sector in British Columbia, the third-largest share of manufacturing sector workers among all Canadian provinces.
• The average manufacturing wage is 14.7% above the provincial average.
• Approximately 27.1% of the employed labour force in the manufacturing sector of B.C. is female.
• Manufactured goods account for 67.3% of B.C.’s total goods exports to international destinations.
• In 2015, the value of B.C.’s manufactured exports to foreign destinations approached $24.2 billion, an increase of about 8.7% over the previous year.
• Each year, the government invests more than $7.5 billion in education and training.
• Over the next 10 years, to better align its annual investment to meet emerging labour market needs, B.C. plans to redirect $3 billion of its training investment to focus on skills and programs for in-demand jobs.

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