With more than $282,000 in funding from the B.C. Government, Community Futures Shuswap is setting out to create a new labour-market strategy for the region.

The Shuswap Labour Market Assessment and Action Planning Project is a partnership between the Adams Lake, Shuswap Lake, Neskonlith and Splatsin Indian Bands, the City of Salmon Arm and the Columbia Shuswap Regional District.

The goal is to develop a plan that will create job opportunities for local residents and future employees for new and existing businesses. The project will create a strategy which includes an inventory of local labour-force skills and skill gaps, current and future labour-market needs, detailed action plans to help address those needs, and a plan to implement the strategy.

Community Futures Shuswap will lead the project in partnership with Sexqeltkemc Enterprises Inc., Sexqeltkemc te Secwepemc (Lakes Division), the Salmon Arm Economic Development Society, the Salmon Arm Métis Association, the Splatsin Development Corporation, Okanagan College, Focus Ability Workable Solutions and WorkBC Employment Services. Ironsight Business Strategies, a local consulting firm, will complete the strategy.

Information will be gathered through at least 500 surveys of the supply and demand sides of the local-labour market, and at least 80 interviews with businesses, individuals, community and First Nations organizations.

The labour-market strategy is expected to be complete by July 31, 2017, and will be presented at a community meeting, while copies will be distributed to interested parties and be available online.

Funding for the project is provided through the Labour Market Partnerships stream of the Community and Employer Partnerships fund. Labour Market Partnership projects receive funding to share labour-market information and increase employability throughout the province.

Community and Employer Partnerships are featured in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint and provide more support to people who are struggling to gain a foothold in the job market. It helps build stronger partnerships with industry and labour to connect British Columbians with classroom and on-the-job training, while making it easier for employers to hire the skilled workers they need – when and where they need them.

To date, more than 1,400 job seekers benefited from work experience and nearly 260 projects have been funded throughout the province.

Community and Employer Partnerships support the BC Jobs Plan, which after five years has helped B.C. have the lowest unemployment rate in Canada while leading the country in economic growth and creating 191,500 jobs.

Quotes:

Michelle Stilwell, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation –

“It is important our government supports people looking for work, as well as businesses looking to hire and expand, by funding projects like this labour-market partnership in the Shuswap region. I’m confident the strategies created here will go a long way in developing new opportunities for employment and prolonged economic growth in the area.”

Greg Kyllo, Parliamentary Secretary for the BC Jobs Plan, MLA for Shuswap –

“This is a great chance for people in our community to find out what we have, where we want to go and how we’re going to get there when it comes to employment opportunities in Salmon Arm and the Shuswap. It is the perfect opportunity for stakeholders across the region to have their voices heard, and I can’t wait to see the final strategy put into action. As Part of the BC Jobs Plan, Community and Employer Partnerships are helping British Columbians find jobs they can be proud of.”

Rob Marshall, Community Futures Shuswap –

“The Shuswap Labour Market Assessment and Action Planning Project will provide us with a wide-ranging and comprehensive analysis of the current labour-market supply and demand situation for the Shuswap, as well as the anticipated job trends over the next several years. This critical information will enable decision makers to set in motion the best course of action for creating sustainable, rewarding jobs in the region. This is a particularly timely research project as the job market and employment opportunities have transitioned significantly in recent years. We would like to acknowledge the participation of our community partners in the project and the support and financial contribution of the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation.”

Pearl Hiemstra, Focus Ability WorkAble Solutions –

“We are excited to be a part of this project as it will be the first project in B.C. to help create awareness of the high unemployment rate amongst those who have uneven cognitive abilities in our area.”

Lana Fitt, economic development manager, Salmon Arm Economic Development Society –

“The Salmon Arm Economic Development Society is pleased to be a part of this exciting partnership initiative. Our organization is eager to access local labour market data which will assist in defining future initiatives related to workforce development in our community.” 

Quick Facts:

• Local WorkBC Employment Services Centres play a lead role in connecting eligible job seekers to Job Creation Partnership and Project Based Labour Market Training opportunities in their communities. Once the right match of client to project has been found, the effort of the WorkBC Centre continues by providing financial supports and services to ensure success.
• In 2016-17, the ministry has committed to investing $331 million in employment and labour-market programs under the Employment Program of British Columbia.
• The Employment Program of B.C. is funded by the Province of British Columbia as well as the Government of Canada through the Labour Market Development Agreement.
• Funding supports 84 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 for Community and Employer Partnerships funding?

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

Learn More:

To find out more about the BC Jobs Plan: http://bcjobsplan.gov.bc.ca/

Learn more about Community Futures Shuswap: http://www.beyourfuture.ca

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

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

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

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