A group of 30 industry leaders from a variety of sectors across Northern B.C. have thrown their support behind the development of a trades school at the former Canfor Rustad sawmill.
In March Canfor offered the use of the land to the province, in exchange for a $10 million grant for development of the school. Canfor, the BID Group, Lomack Bulk Carriers and Enbridge are among the companies throwing their support behind the project.
"We realize money is tight but ... we believe this is very urgent," BID Group CEO Brian Fehr said.
Fehr said the donation of the land by Canfor is an extraordinary opportunity for the province to develop a new trades school. With support, the first class of apprentices could begin in 2013, Fehr said.
Canfor director of public affairs Christine Kennedy said size and membership of the group shows the
"We've got all the big industry from the north-central interior," Kennedy said. "If you can't find trades people, you can't operate your business. Then you have to look overseas. We'd like, as well as that, to be training people here."
Lomack Bulk Carrier president Rick Reinbolt said the shortage of skilled tradespeople isn't a future problem, it's effecting businesses today.
"Right now we're experiencing a shortage of skilled trades and our drivers," Reinbolt said. "The average age of our drivers is the mid-50s."
While in many cases, the businesses sitting at the table are competitors, they all face the same problems trying to attract workers with the right skill sets, he said.
Targeted training programs aimed at the shortages identified by industry are needed immediately, he said.
Enbridge executive vice president Janet Holder said if the company's proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline project goes ahead, it will be in need of many skilled tradespeople.
"We have a commitment to B.C. to utilize as many local employees as possible," Holder said. "It is a big part of our planning. We will be competing with a lot of other ... industries in Northern B.C."
The proposed trade school has received a letter of support from the City of Prince George, and received some preliminary interest from several colleges in Northern B.C.
