S K I L L E D T R A D E S
P r o m o t e d C o n t e n t
Rejuvenation Stratešy. "As far as forestry
is concerned, a different set of skills is
required—loggers, people to maintain
equipment, drivers, millwrights,
electricians, people to perform
necessary jobs in processing facilities,"
Gilbert says.
Agriculture has tremendous promise
in the region, with Young Living Essential
Oils establishing a distillery there to
extract essential oils from several plants,
including black spruce, as part of the
company's worldwide operations. It's
one more example of new developments
in the province that will continue to drive
demand for skilled trades.
"If I could put a catchphrase on
everything that's happening, it's
'potential'," Gilbert says.
While growth in the skilled trades
industry is exciting, keeping the
province's skilled tradespeople safe
must be a priority across the board.
"Safety is de•initely an integrated piece
of training in skilled trades, and as we
move forward, the industry is shifting to
a culture of safety," says Don Schouten,
WorkSafeBC's industry and labour
services manager for construction. Right
from the moment apprenticeship training
starts, safety skills are taught, and those
skills must be refreshed on an ongoing
basis, whether it's through casual "tool-
box talks" or more formal workshops or
seminars. "When you're out on the site
you don't just think about the tools and
materials you need; it's also what tools
and materials you need to do the job
safely," says Schouten, who is encouraged
by what he's seeing on the ground.
Whether it's tourism, forestry, mining
or agriculture nothing happens without
skilled trades workers—they're the
heartbeat of the province's economy; and
by the looks of it, all the necessary training
and educational support are in place to
ensure the future of skilled workers and
their industry will be a bright one.
This promotional feature was prepared by
BCBusiness Special Advertising Features
Dept. Writer: Gail Johnson. For more
information contact vice president of
sales, Rebecca Legge at 604¤299¤7311.
Email: rlegge@canadawide.com
