Workforce Development

Communities around B.C. are trying different ways to help businesses meet their workforce needs. In this section, see how communities are supporting workers by creating partnerships, supporting skills development, building immigration programs, increasing job access, and more. 

BC Ideas Exchange Story Showcase: Working with Industry and Business

Targeted industry initiatives are a common ingredient in many communities’ economic development strategies. How do you encourage growing industries to do business in your community without breaking the bank on incentives? Through listening to industry and growing the capacity that companies need, like skilled workers.

In this webinar, we’ll delve into the stories of two industry/business strategies: the BC Film and TV Crew Training Program at North Island College, and Ucluelet's Business and Employer Retention & Expansion initiative. 

Speakers: Joan Miller (INFilm), Cheryl O’Connell (North Island College), and Joey Rotenberg (Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce)

Presentation slides: 

• Film and TV Crew Training Program (PDF, 1.6MB)
• Ucluelet Business and Employee Retention Program (PDF, 453KB)

Watch the Working with Industry and Business webinar originally broadcast on November 22, 2018.

BC Ideas Exchange Showcase: Workforce Development Stories

When local residents know they can stay in their communities and get the training and opportunities they need to have robust careers, it spells success for economic development. The Vernon and Area Workforce Development Roundtable made this happen by building relationships in public and private sector networks, delivering a community-based communications strategy, and collaborating to deliver local training that is responsive to employer needs. 

Join us to learn more about stories of workforce development initiatives around the province, and share some of your own successes as well. 

Presenters: Vernon and Area Workforce Development Roundtable (Kevin Poole, City of Vernon, and Richard Toperczer, Regional Economic Operations); WorkBC Find Your Fit Tour (Davin Greenwell, Ministry of Advanced Education & Skills Training)

Presentation Slides:

• Workforce Development (PDF 1.4MB)
• Find Your Fit (PDF, 610KB)

Watch the Workforce Development Stories webinar originally broadcast on June 28, 2018.

Attracting International Students to your Community

International students spent close to $2.3 billion in B.C. in 2012/13, which supported almost 25,500 jobs and contributed $1.63 billion to our economy. Our most recent figures indicate that 114,600 international students attended all levels of education in B.C., up 22% since 2009-10.

Representatives from the City of Kamloops and Thompson Rivers University will present collaborative efforts to create a welcoming environment that attracts international students and also encourages residency in the community following graduation. A representative from the Ministry of Advanced Education will present how the Province of British Columbia supports the international education sector.

• Attracting International Students to your Community (PDF, 4.4MB)

Watch the Attracting International Students webinar originally broadcast on October 1, 2015.