SKILL SHORTAGES:
OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FUTURE

For the past several years the shortage of skilled workers has become a common concern for trades related industries throughout the Province. It is the single most common challenge to ensure a globally competitive economy and workforce. In its report ‘Closing The Skills Gap’, the British Columbia Chamber of Commerce states that “BC is at a skills gap crossroads. The quality and creativity of the workforce has become the most crucial factor in determining competitive advantage in industrialized nations. The degree to which skill shortages are averted by stakeholders will be the single biggest determinant of BC’s economic prosperity and social health. The BC business community in particular, can choose to take proactive action on this issue, or suffer the consequences.”

The Chamber’s Skills Development & Education Committee is actively exploring ways to address the skills shortage issue in our community and is working closely with Fraser Valley School Districts and Colleges to identify steps to alleviate the challenges. An example of efforts being explored is the Aircraft Structures Apprenticeship Program launched last year to provide an opportunity for high school students to commence specialized training during their senior years. This was in response to an identified shortage of skilled workers in the helicopter industries operating out of Langley Airport.

In the Chamber’s continued search for specific industry shortages we discovered there are many industry associations already working with community colleges and trade schools to provide specialized training and opportunities for future employees. One challenge that was identified is the lack of information provided to parents and guardians on the tremendous opportunities the trades are presenting for the future, the high earning potential offered in the majority of trades and opportunities for career advancement. It appears that the obvious direction we are giving our youth is to guide them all to continued studies at university without consideration of career training at trade schools and colleges.

Committee Co-Chairs Milt Kruger and Judy Gerein are working in partnership with the Langley, Delta and Surrey School Districts and Kwantlen University College to promote the trades as career choices for students, to educate parents of the many opportunities the trades offer and to familiarize employers with training programmes available to address skills shortages in our region.

Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce #1, 5761 Glover Road Langley, B.C. V3A 8M8 Phone: (604) 530-6656 Fax: (604) 530-7066 E-Mail: chamber@langleychamber.com