Victoria, BC, October 4, 2011 | As indicated in Monday’s Speech from the Throne, our province is facing significant challenges due to the global economic situation and it is critical that government makes the right investments to help drive our economic recovery. The province’s recently announced jobs strategy – Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan – has the potential to have far-reaching, positive implications for British Columbians both now and in the future. Government investment in the liquid natural gas industry, the Road Rail Utility Project and Deltaport, among other projects, will bring both jobs and increased economic growth to our province. And, the increased focus on international education will create thousands of jobs and bring millions of dollars into local economies.
“However, key to the success of this plan, as stated by the Premier herself, is the continued commitment to ensure our skills and training programs lead the way to the jobs of tomorrow,” says Jim Reed, President of BC Colleges. “As the primary provider of advanced skills and education in BC, BC Colleges looks forward to working with the provincial government to implement the strategy successfully,” affirmed Reed.
Good jobs are only part of the equation for a strong economy in British Columbia. “To fill these jobs we must prepare our population with the right skills and education now,” states Reed. “Our public college system serves 70 communities across BC and we are eager to take up the challenge so British Columbians can train and work close to home.”
However, for BC Colleges to deliver job-ready graduates now and in the future, more government investment is required. Between now and 2020 it is projected that there will be more than one million job-openings in BC and, with emerging economic sectors creating new jobs, British Columbia needs a well educated workforce. This will result in more demand for the programs provided by colleges because 78 per cent[1] of these new jobs will require some form of post-secondary education (versus 68 per cent currently).
The good news is that according to a recent TD Economic report, investment in post-secondary continues to offer one of the best returns on investment for both students and government. The report goes on to say that a college diploma, which has lower upfront costs, offers an even higher return. This is good news for the provincial jobs strategy given the largest proportion of job openings will require exactly the type of education and training that colleges provide.
BC Colleges looks forward to working with government, our local college boards and community leaders, on a plan to ensure that business and industry have the skilled workforce needed to fill the jobs being created today, so we have the vibrant economy British Columbians expect in the years to come.
It is clear from the province’s jobs strategy that British Columbia needs trained workers now. With the appropriate investment by government, BC Colleges can deliver them.
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[1] BC Government’s 2nd Annual Labour Market Outlook 2010-2020