NANAIMO – Local businesses from around Vancouver Island gathered December 7 to hear about British Columbia’s economic success and progress made to-date thanks to the BC Jobs Plan as well as for an announcement on a new Labour Market Partnership Project with Vancouver Island manufacturers.
The announcement was made by Greg Kyllo, Parliamentary Secretary for the BC Jobs Plan to the Minister of Jobs, Tourism, and Skills Training and Michelle Stilwell, MLA for Parksville-Qualicum and Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation at Inuktun Services Ltd., a designer and manufacturer of modular robotic systems located in North Nanaimo.
“Employment, exports and our Gross Domestic Product have reached record highs. B.C.’s diverse economy has continued to grow with the development of new mines; continued progress in the LNG industry; an expanded agrifoods sector; a booming technology sector; and continued growth of our vibrant tourism sector,” explained Stilwell.
The Vancouver Island Manufacturers Sector Engagement Project will bring together Vancouver Island employers and associations that are committed to addressing common workforce challenges in the manufacturing sector. This will help ensure that British Columbia and Vancouver Island have the workforce needed so that manufacturing companies can hire for jobs of the future. Government has committed $30,000 for the project, funded through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA).
“Inuktun Services has grown from a company of five in 1989 to employ more than 50 people with the support of BC Government programs. We have used the Bladerunners Program through the Nanaimo Youth Services Association to hire youth who may not have had the chance to transition into the workplace so easily on their own,” explained company CEO Colin Dobell.
“The Canada-BC Job Grant cost-sharing program helped Inuktun invest in training for current employees while the BC Provincial Nominee program was instrumental in accelerating work visas for skilled employees who make significant contributions to the provincial economy. Future plans include international expansion and creating more jobs.”
The Government of British Columbia also released the BC Jobs Plan 4-Year Progress Update December 7, which shows B.C.’s economic performance is reaching record levels. The BC Jobs Plan was launched in 2011 as government’s strategy to build on the strengths of our key sectors and our educated and skilled workforce, to grow the province’s economy and promote job creation.
The BC Jobs Plan set targets across eight sectors: Agrifoods, Forestry, International Education, Mining and Energy, Natural Gas, Technology and Green Economy, Tourism and Transportation. The BC Jobs Plan expanded in 2014 to include four cross sectors: Aboriginal Peoples and First Nations, International Trade, Manufacturing and Small Business.
Employment, exports and B.C.’s Gross Domestic Product have reached record highs and B.C. has recorded growth of more than 126,800 jobs since the launch of the jobs plan. Currently, a record 2.3 million people are working in B.C. and the province has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, trending well below the national average.
The full text of the BC Jobs Plan can be accessed online at the following link: engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan.
