EASING SKILLED WORKER SHORTAGE IN REMOTE AREAS (2007)
Businesses in all regions of BC are experiencing a shortage of workers, from basic labour, to skilled trades, to highly qualified personnel. Government can mitigate this shortage by improving the access to both traditional and non-traditional means of training. This will increase the number of people who are able to participate and the likelihood of a successful job experience with the existing workforce.
Provincial government funding announced in Budget 2006 and Budget 2007 has begun to help address the trades and skills shortage. This funding has had some effect on mitigating the disconnection between education, immigration and business. While some significant gains have been made in many communities using this money to enhance skills and employment at the local level, a significant gap in employment still exists. Recent government initiatives have committed additional funds for dedicated measures for aboriginal training programs, a critical component of addressing BC’s skills shortage.
With the lowest employment rates in the history of the province, many communities are at effective full employment (those who are able to work are all working). The government has put forward many policies to address the lack of skilled workers using training and immigration. However, the time is long overdue for stronger policies that initiate action to help employ BC’s under-represented groups. This is particularly important for our largest unemployment population, First Nations. Even in these times, BC’s First Nations have extremely high unemployment rates. For example in Prince George, the unemployment rate is currently 90–95% in First Nations communities while the city unemployment rate is less than 5%. This situation is similar across the province.
In examining the issue with researchers from UNBC, several disconnects have been identified that need support;
1. access to training on First Nations’ land to mitigate the issues of travel and culture shock;
2. access to services that help those who are remote and need help to access employment opportunities or services; and
3. social support to aid in workplace integration is needed.
In 2006, a pilot project in the form of a portable trades training trailer was instituted in the North to address some of these needs. The portable trades training trailer is offering significant opportunities to many remote areas to develop skills that address their needs without the exorbitant costs of resident students. Demand for the first trailer is such that a second and third training trailer should be considered to meet the provincial needs.
THE CHAMBER RECOMMENDS
That the provincial government:
1. use the model of Front Counter BC and apply it to employment services for First Nations and new immigrant job support; and
2. assess the demand for the development and operations of a second portable trades trailer to be used as needed throughout the province.
Businesses in all regions of BC are experiencing a shortage of workers, from basic labour, to skilled trades, to highly qualified personnel. Government can mitigate this shortage by improving the access to both traditional and non-traditional means of training. This will increase the number of people who are able to participate and the likelihood of a successful job experience with the existing workforce.
Provincial government funding announced in Budget 2006 and Budget 2007 has begun to help address the trades and skills shortage. This funding has had some effect on mitigating the disconnection between education, immigration and business. While some significant gains have been made in many communities using this money to enhance skills and employment at the local level, a significant gap in employment still exists. Recent government initiatives have committed additional funds for dedicated measures for aboriginal training programs, a critical component of addressing BC’s skills shortage.
With the lowest employment rates in the history of the province, many communities are at effective full employment (those who are able to work are all working). The government has put forward many policies to address the lack of skilled workers using training and immigration. However, the time is long overdue for stronger policies that initiate action to help employ BC’s under-represented groups. This is particularly important for our largest unemployment population, First Nations. Even in these times, BC’s First Nations have extremely high unemployment rates. For example in Prince George, the unemployment rate is currently 90–95% in First Nations communities while the city unemployment rate is less than 5%. This situation is similar across the province.
In examining the issue with researchers from UNBC, several disconnects have been identified that need support;
1. access to training on First Nations’ land to mitigate the issues of travel and culture shock;
2. access to services that help those who are remote and need help to access employment opportunities or services; and
3. social support to aid in workplace integration is needed.
In 2006, a pilot project in the form of a portable trades training trailer was instituted in the North to address some of these needs. The portable trades training trailer is offering significant opportunities to many remote areas to develop skills that address their needs without the exorbitant costs of resident students. Demand for the first trailer is such that a second and third training trailer should be considered to meet the provincial needs.
THE CHAMBER RECOMMENDS
That the provincial government:
1. use the model of Front Counter BC and apply it to employment services for First Nations and new immigrant job support; and
2. assess the demand for the development and operations of a second portable trades trailer to be used as needed throughout the province.
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