Local trades workers with employment roadblocks will soon get new access to skills training. The provincial government and the United Steelworkers Union (USW) announced a partnership on Friday that would put almost $3 million dollars towards new training for about 840 northern workers.
The training would be aimed at retaining those employees in the area, by clearing away education and certification obstacles.
Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Pat Bell disclosed the plan alongside USW Local 1-424 president Frank Everitt. Bell said the union had successfully run a similar introductory program, and this expansion would be an 18-month pilot project for the rest of the province.
The two said they would work together to identify about 35 worksites across the north in the forestry and mining sectors, including 10 in the Prince George area, and tap into the needs of the workers on those jobsites.
"It's not a formula-driven system, it really is based on the real needs of the individual," said Bell, who noted that basic literacy was already known to be a major problem in the local trades sector, with as many as 60 per cent of a worksite's employees being less than functional readers.
They could get literacy training, under this new program, or perhaps they need certification for particular skills, or accreditation for certain tools, a higher understanding of computers, a particular driver's license level, etc.
This program would clear the way for the workers to get the upgrades they need to get better wages or more secure employment. It would also reduce the employers' turnover of less-than-ideal workers at their site because those already on the job would be able to stay and grow with the company.
"We're anxiously looking forward to working with our members and their employers to enhance their skills to meet the emerging challenges in our industries with increased technology and growth," Everitt said.
"We recognize that many new opportunities for employment in northern B.C. are expanding with the upswing in economic activity, and there will be increasing need for a much larger skilled workforce in this region."
The jobs will be there, with all the industrial activity happening across B.C., they agreed, so the key for northern B.C. was ensuring a labourer's financial stability and family sustainability by getting them to a higher skill level.
When each employee's needs are analyzed, the next step would be getting them into the training stream they need - driving lessons, computer courses, reading or math classes, etc.
"The stakeholder group has to be bigger," said Bell. "Unions play a role, First Nations play a role, business leaders play a role, communities play a role, and everyone has to work together."
The 35 worksites have not yet been identified. Bell and Everitt said information would soon start to flow once the program partners were finalized.
