BC – BC’s manufacturing sector comes in as the fourth largest in Canada generating nearly $14.3 billion in gross domestic product. The numbers, from the latest provincial report on manufacturing, show it as a key sector, employing a significant percentage of BC’s labour force with 161,000 workers.
Manufactured goods make up the largest component of BC exports, at 63 per cent heading to a global marketplace that includes the United States, China, Japan and Europe.
Although wood product manufacturing remains a leader in BC, other companies are commanding their market share by developing new products and innovative techniques and adding design and post-sale service to their process. The industry is made up of a diverse group of companies in areas such as apparel, food, amusement park equipment and biomedical manufacturing.
Universal Packaging is a 31-year-old company located in the North Okanagan that provides screen printing for wine, beer and spirt bottles. Its process has made it the largest bottle printer in North America to these industries.
“Manufacturing in general provides a fair amount of stability in jobs and in the companies,” said Steve Pelkey, CEO of Universal, “Manufacturing companies usually pay employees better than the retail or service industry and there are more opportunities for in-house training, career advancement and higher starting wages.”
Manufacturing is a complex and multi-level industry with participation from a variety of sectors that supply raw materials, energy, equipment and human capital. According to the province’s profile It supports the creation of high paying jobs such as in engineering and consulting, software design, skilled trades as well as those in production plants.
Stephen Peel, vice president Ironside Design Manufacturing Inc, and interim vice president for Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) BC’s Advisory Board and Chair of CME BC’s Policy and Public Affairs Committee, said that there is a full spectrum of career opportunities outside traditional machinists and welders, and that youth and their parents should not disregard a career in a trade in manufacturing.
“How many jobs are there where a student from high school can step into a well-paying position without any prior training? Many manufacturing jobs train on the job, pay for schooling and help build a career through apprenticeships.”
He added that like other sectors, manufacturing faces a serious worker shortage over the next 10-15 years.
“There are more people retiring from jobs than there are new workers,” he said. “With manufacturing contributing a major portion of the tax base, it’s a big issue.”
Pelkey said one solution leaders in the sector would like to see is government encouraging immigrants to move to outlying regions of the province.
“Instead of settling in urban areas, they could come to places like the North Okanagan and find great paying jobs and opportunities.”
Pelkey said that his company’s senior plant management is also looking at internal ways to increase interest in jobs by creating new programming and enhancing benefits.
Kevin Poole, economic development and tourism manager of Vernon said that to encourage the growth of manufacturing in Vernon, Community Futures, with funding support from the National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program has created a new mentorship program.
Designed to help local manufactures increase efficiencies, stimulate innovation, improve profitability and enhance management skills, the project provides a forum for participants to discuss issues with like-minded and experienced mentors.
“Twelve companies are participating in the program including: Kingfisher Boats, Universal Packaging, Piscine Energetics, tekmar, Chemach and newer companies like Armadillo Trailer Manufacturing,” he said.