Survey says, they’re half way to the their goal

Community Futures has hit a bit of a wall with the returns coming in to their Gateway Skills Assessment, which so far has seen only 500 surveys completed, about half the way to the goal of at least 1,000 replies they are hoping to have.

The survey which is co-funded by BCIT and Service Canada is designed to see what labour shortages may be on the horizon in the next five to ten years and how local industry can best prepare for a rejuvenated economy with the container port on line and in operation.

On Thursday, The Daily News reviewed what the survey is all about and the concerns at Community Futures about the community’s input thus far.

WORKERS URGED TO SPARE THE TIME FOR SURVEY
By James Vassallo
The Daily News
Thursday, December 7, 2006
Page one

Community Futures is still hoping to receive more than 500 surveys from businesses around the region to help ensure a ready, skilled workforce is available in the future.

“People are surveyed to death but we’re trying to show businesses the importance of this,” said Maynard Angus, general Manager of Community Futures of the Pacific Northwest. “It’s really for them to tell our community this is what we need to do because we’re going to be faced with a shortage tow or three years down the road.

“We want people to know if we come by we’re not gathering information, this is not another survey that’s going to sit on the shelf.”

The Pacific Northwest Gateway Skills Assessment, funded by BCIT and Service Canada, will assess the current state of skilled workers, and the future needs of North Coast communities including Prince Rupert, Port Edward, Metlakatla, Oona River, Dodge Cove, Lax Kw’alaams, Metlakatla and Hartley Bay.

“We have the infrastructure being built, we’ve got people at all different levels doing there thing to get (the port) project going,” said Angus. “Where we come into play is the human capacity side of things – you can build this thing, but you’ve got to get the people to work and keep it going.”

Community Futures has received about 500 completed surveys, but hopes to have as many as 1,000 returned to get a clear picture of the requirements three, five and 10 years down the road.

Teachers and the city’s public works department, where nearly 40 per cent of those employed are approaching retirement age, are just two examples of places where worker shortages in the community may pose problems in the next three to five years. There will also be a need for a host of skilled trades people required for the port and related opportunities.

“What we plan to do from (the data) is take the findings of those gaps and be able to put together a training plan, recommendations to (NWCC) UNBC, BCIT,” he said. “The college can to their students and say “look we’re talking to industry and this is exactly what they want, this is what we’re planning for and we’d like to speed things up. Do you have any kids in your school that are wanting to get into trades because this is where they can go to work when they finish?” We need to begin working on a plan to start the training now and create a connection between post-secondary and industry into the high schools.”

Community Futures hopes to have a draft report completed by Jan. 31, 2007, with a final report by Feb. 15, 2007.