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B.C. invests in new project to help manufacturers meet labour needs

Dec. 11, 2016 – 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 as well as factors that shape their workforce.

Bringing together “key organizations” from the Cariboo and Nechako economic development regions, The North Central BC Manufacturing Sector Labour Market Information Project is expected to finish in February 2017.

According to the government, 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.

“Each region in B.C. is shaped by different economic drivers and has unique labour needs,” said Coralee Oakes, MLA for Cariboo North. “In our region, the forestry industry, paper production and wood product manufacturing have been important providers of jobs and revenue for residents.”

This partnership is funded through the Sector Labour Market Partnerships program under the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement.

“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,” added Shirley Bond, minister of jobs, tourism and skills training and responsible for labour and MLA for Prince George-Valemont.