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Venture Kamloops Releases Regional Labour Market Study

Oct 30, 2015
Kamloops, BC:  Venture Kamloops has released the results of a year-long study into labour market supply and demand in the Kamloops region. The study was commissioned by Venture Kamloops with funding of more than $117,000 from the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation; and over $90,000 in partner contributions from BCLC; Community Futures Thompson Country; Domtar, KGHM Ajax; Thompson Rivers University; Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc; the Thompson-Nicola Regional District; and Kinder Morgan. The research firm of R.A. Malatest and Associates was retained to prepare the comprehensive labour market study with the intention of providing quantifiable labour market data at the community in the region, which extended from Merritt in the south, McBride in the north with east- west boundaries of Chase and 100 Mile House.
 
The data collected was used to analyze the current labour market and to provide projections for both labour supply and demand through 2025. Venture Kamloops has released the results of a year-long study into labour market supply and
 
“In order to build a diverse, strong and growing economy, you need strength in your communities. This 10-year labour market study will help communities in central and northern B.C. understand their future labour market needs, which is an important part of long-term economic development planning,” says Michelle Stilwell, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation.
 
The region is expecting to add nearly 35,000 new jobs by 2025, due to employer needs and retirements. The report divides the surveyed area into five geographic areas: Kamloops, North, Central East, Central West and South, comprising more than 15 communities.
 
The top jobs that are expected in the region are for qualified and experienced tradespeople and engineers, as well as workers in healthcare, hospitality and tourism, and clerical staff.
 
New hires between 2015 and 2025 will have to be well educated as nearly half of all new employees will need some post-secondary education, whether it’s trade certification/college education (1,000 more needed than available) or a university degree or higher level of educational attainment (6,000 more needed than available).
 
The report also includes recommendations to fill skills gaps by developing a regional labour force training committee.
 
Terry Lake, MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson:
“This study is critical for planning an overall strategy in our region that provides a blueprint for growth over the next decade. This labour market report will fuel innovation, investment, economic diversification and competitiveness in Kamloops-North Thompson and beyond,” says
 
Todd Stone – MLA for Kamloops-South Thompson:
“This labour market study will help identify strengths and opportunities in the local labour market, which will allow communities to respond by implementing an action plan that employers and industry can follow.”
 
Margot Middleton, President of the Board of Directors, Venture Kamloops:
“The vision of Venture Kamloops is to be the catalyst for an economically thriving and sustainable community. This Labour Market Study, the third in a series of reports produced by Venture Kamloops, takes another significant step to realizing on that vision. The information from the study available to businesses in Kamloops and the region will be invaluable as the plan for their future growth and success.”
 
 Colin O’Leary, Manager of Business Retention and Expansion at Venture Kamloops:
“The future prosperity of our region and the province depends on the number of people that are able to find meaningful and productive employment, which in turn leads to productivity, innovation and economic growth. This study and the support we received from the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation will enable us to better position ourselves for the future.”
 
Dr. Alan Shaver, President TRU:
“Thompson Rivers University is proud to partner in this Labor Market Study.  The findings are an important contribution to labor and education planning in our region, and we look forward to enabling our students to take advantage of the many career opportunities that the future will bring. ”
 
John Ranta, Chair of the Thompson-Nicola Regional District Board:
“Through taking a comprehensive look at the labour market in our region, Venture Kamloops has helped both local governments and business owners have information to assist with planning for the future. The Labour Market Study will help us predict trends in the local economy which have impacts on the services provided by local government.”
 
Jim Lightbody, President & CEO, BCLC
“BCLC is focused on building strong communities and is especially committed to our head office community of Kamloops. We are pleased to have contributed to this study as it will help inform future decision making by employers across the region.”
 
Carol Lapointe, Director / Mill manager Kamloops mill, Domtar:
“The study results confirm our concern over future labour market shortages and will help us refine our Human Resource strategy for the next few years.”
 
Ali Hounsell, Trans Mountain Expansion Project Spokesperson, Kinder Morgan Canada:
“The Trans Mountain Expansion Project is pleased to be a partner in the Venture Kamloops Labour Market Study for the Kamloops region, the role of economic development planning is important for both the Project and Kinder Morgan Canada’s continued operation in the region with the existing pipeline and facilities”.
 
David Arsenault, General Manager, Community Futures Thompson Country:
“Community Futures is proud to support the Venture Kamloops regional Labour market study we believe that research projects such as these lay the foundation for good planning and we are looking forward to working collaborating with other like-minded businesses to support economic growth in our region.”

Source: http://venturekamloops.com/venture-kamloops-releases-regional-labour-market-study/