Prince George, Nechako Region, B.C.: The initiative is specifically designed to create new opportunities for aboriginal citizens seeking employment in the fields of Transportation and Heavy Equipment Operating. The program will also support skill development for new entrants and create linkages to employment to those previously certified. PGNAETA will work closely with industry professionals to achieve the overall goals of the project.
A definite need for qualified professional drivers/heavy equipment operators exists today and is expected to grow. The shortage of qualified truck drivers in Canada may reach the tens of thousands by the start of the next decade, according to a recently released report from the Conference Board of Canada, leaving the industry scrambling to find ways to fill those future empty seats.
British Columbia's skilled aboriginal work force is also expected to undergo an invisible shift in coming years as the pool of younger workers becomes smaller than the number of aging workers who have their eye on retirement. The role of heavy equipment operator is in large demand: B.C. is expected to need nearly 7,000 of them over the next decade, in no small part due to energy projects.
British Columbians can also expect to see almost one million job openings in the next seven years as baby boomers retire, according to a provincial government report. Two-thirds of the projected 985,100 job openings created between now and 2022 will be due to retirement and one-third to economic growth — especially in skilled trades, according to the B.C. 2022 Labor Market Outlook, a forecast of labor demand and supply trends carried out by KPMG.
PGNAETA is preparing the workforce of tomorrow and is pleased to introduce Bruce Morin as project leader for the Transportation and Heavy Equipment Operating Initiative. His previous experience as senior program officer in our employment and training department will complement our team's ability to collaborate and communicate with various levels of government, business, and industry. We believe this will provide a foundation on which to build long term meaningful relationships and partnerships. Visit our website www.pgnaeta.bc.ca and facebook page for dates and locations on upcoming dialogue sessions introducing the features of the new Initiative.
Bruce can be contacted at our office or e-mail at brucem@pgnaeta.bc.ca.