Key Issue: Skills & Training

Canada’s military men and women are known around the world for their leadership skills, teamwork and dedication. They are highly skilled in areas such as planning, communication, management, and the trades. Without question, they would be an asset to any workforce; it is not always appreciated by the business community how big an asset someone […]

Tax credits alone will not allow the industry to continue to grow, although BC’s focus since 2015 on tax credits has enabled BC to remain a player worldwide. Education/Immigration While some see the 95% of lower Mainland-based BC productions as “disadvantaged” due to the regional tax credit program, less than 5% of productions occur outside […]

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in high job losses. Those that are unable to return to the industry that employed them have the daunting task of learning new skills within their industry or to find employment in new industries. Coupled with the inability to attend traditional in-person learning is the lack of a national information […]

Universities are large economic engines located throughout British Columbia. Some of the greatest impacts to the economy include direct and indirect spending, employment, research initiatives and a knowledgeable workforce. For example, Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops is the fourth largest employer in the city. It contributes an estimated $355 million to the regional economy, adding […]

Skilled tradespeople are vital to supporting industries that drive Canada’s economy. Strong economic growth in areas such as construction and natural resources, combined with an aging and retiring workforce, have contributed to increased demand for skilled tradespeople in Canada. Registration in apprenticeship programs has been increasing steadily over the last few years, but the growth […]

The BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is an immigration system that allows skilled and semi-skilled workers to gain permanent residency in BC. To help ensure these skilled workers can grow and develop in BC and continue to serve the labour market needs of BC employers, additional flexibility is needed in the BC PNP regarding […]

The BC Chamber is looking for exceptional leaders whose values align with that of the Board  – show dedication, grit and passionate for the people who power BC. The Board is seeking qualified candidates with expertise in the area of Policy Governance, Government Relations, Human Resources, Information Technology, Risk Management and Strategy, Region and Sector […]

Pay gaps between four designated groups (women, people with disabilities, Indigenous peoples and visible minorities) and men remains a consistent problem for the Canadian economy. One reason attributed to this gap is that fewer individuals in designated groups are employed in high-paying occupations, which are dominated by men.[1] Ensuring that there is training, hiring and […]

British Columbia’s economic growth depends on having enough skilled and qualified people to meet labour market needs. The BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) supports BC employers to attract and retain needed talent. It acts as a critical tool to meet BC’s labour market and economic development needs and priorities. British Columbian employers will require […]

BC is expected to have 861,000 job openings between 2019 and 2029 and the government has acknowledged that this cannot be filled with local, domestic labour.  Immigration is and will continue to be a major source of our workforce in BC.  However, we are selling our businesses, our newcomers, and our economy short if we […]