A recent study establishes that British Columbia will require thousands of skilled workers over the next decade in order to maintain the needs of the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative.
The study observes that nearly 110,000 jobs will open up in 52 transportation and construction occupations across the province by 2025. This includes management and regular positions in the construction, logistics, marine, rail and trucking sectors.
The study was conducted by the Asia-Pacific Gateway Skills Table. It explains that retiring workers are the main reason for the vacancies.
Another reason is the continued expansion of the corridor also plays a role.
The report cautions Lower Mainland and northern B.C. employers to expect ongoing difficulties filling job openings. The challenge will be especially pronounced between 2019 and 2023.
The initiative taken is a non-profit, regional partnership between labour, business, education and training institutions. The main objective is ensuring the Asia-Pacific Gateway has the right workers at the right time.
The website of the federal government’s website says that the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor was created as the best transportation network for trade between North America and Asia and is a growing and vital part of the national economy.
Krista Bax, the Executive Director,says that the Asia-Pacific Gateway continues to be an economic driver for and part of their ability to capitalize on this opportunity is to have the labour in place to support it.
The study observes that just over half of the required new supply of workers in the next decade will be straight out of school and new to the workforce, while immigrants from other provinces or countries will make up 21 percent.
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Source: Vancouver Sun
