Burnaby Board of Trade applauds BC Government’s Future Ready Action Plan

BC Gov Future Ready Plan

May 2, 2023

The Burnaby Board of Trade applauds the release of the BC government’s StrongerBC: Future Ready Action Plan. Given the persistent nature of ongoing skilled labour challenges facing Burnaby businesses, this action plan, along with the investment of $480 million over three years, will help businesses attract and/or train workers with the in-demand skills that will enhance productivity and thus grow both their business and the overall economy.

The Burnaby Board of Trade has been a consistent voice advocating for workforce development support, micro-credential training opportunities, and a streamlined foreign credentials recognition program for recent immigrants to our province to ensure businesses have the skilled workers they need to be successful. The Burnaby Board of Trade is optimistic this plan will provide businesses the support they need to scale their companies, especially within emerging industries like the clean energy sector, by providing British Columbians multiple pathways to receive training for the in-demand skills of our future economy.

At the same time, this action plan recognizes that our ongoing labour shortages will also rely on newcomers to our province as immigrants are expected to fill nearly 38% of future job openings. The Burnaby Board of Trade appreciates the StrongerBC: Future Ready Action Plan will endeavour to attract newcomers by ensuring a faster assessment of their internationally trained credentials is in place to help ease the demand for trained workers in the most critical services and industries.

The Burnaby Board of Trade is committed to working collaboratively with the provincial government to make certain the StrongerBC: Future Ready Action Plan meets the needs of Burnaby businesses in the years ahead.

Read the full BC Gov news release here.