Project Timelines: 01/2014 - 06/2016
Funding: Government of Canada

The Asia Pacific Gateway Corridor (APGC) Labour Market Information Project leveraged the existing, successful LMI model developed by the Skills Table beyond the Asia Pacific Gateway and into the Corridor. The project developed labour market forecasts for 34 key transportation occupations that support the APGC (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba).

Read the Asia Pacific Gateway Corridor LMI 2016-2025 Executive Summary

Read the News Release: New labour market information charts cross-provincial worker supply gap in transportation sector in next decade

Visit lmionline.ca to access project findings

Project Timelines: 02/2015 - 06/2016
Funding: Government of Canada

Management attrition has been identified as a growing challenge for gateway industries. Management Attrition & Critical Knowledge Transfer: A Human Resource Practitioner’s Guide provides a practical guide to help companies retain and transfer business-critical and experience-based knowledge as baby boomers reach retirement age and exit the workforce. The guide provides a framework of strategies and tools that human resource practitioners can refer to when developing their company’s overall strategy in preparation for the retirement wave. A step-by-step approach to critical knowledge transfer is provided and includes questions and considerations for each step.

Read the News Release: New guide helps companies prepare for knowledge transfer as boomers retire

Project Timelines: 11/2014 - 09/2015
Funding: Government of Canada

The Labour Force Profile of Port Drayage Drivers in Atlantic Canada builds on the Skills Table’s Labour Force Profile of Port Drayage Operators in Metro Vancouver. The project developed a labour force profile of drivers operating at the Port of Halifax and the Port of St. John that takes into account the specific circumstances of drivers operating in Atlantic Canada. The project was undertaken in collaboration with the Trucking Human Resource Sector Council Atlantic.

Read the full report, Labour Force Profile of Professional Drivers Working at Ports in Atlantic Canada

Read the News Release: Recruitment for truck drivers in Atlantic Canada is changing

Project Timelines: 01/2015 - 08/2015
Funding: Government of Canada

Ports use a wide range of information systems for communicating important traffic and terminal conditions to drayage companies and drivers. This study examined 10 such systems, ranging from simple email systems to comprehensive networks using sophisticated data collection, and outlines considerations for ports in designing and implementing their own systems. The project was completed with the assistance of the Montreal Port Authority in conjunction with the Port of Montreal Drayage Labour Profile and Technology Penetration Study.

Read the full report, Study of Innovative Technologies for Communicating Real-Time Information to Port Drayage Drivers

Read the News Release: New study outlines benefits of information technology to drayage sector

Project Timelines: 08/2014 - 10/2015
Funding: Government of Canada, Province of British Columbia, ACEC-BC, APEGBC, and ASTTBC

The Engineers, Geoscientists, Technologists and Technicians Labour Market Information project provided supply and demand information over a 5-year and 10-year forecast for 37 different occupations, across 8 industries, and 5 BC regions. The project provided occupational snapshots that will facilitate planning and decision-making around key professions. The project was undertaken in partnership with the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies of British Columbia, Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia, and Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of British Columbia.

Read the News Release: Growing economy, tight labour market for engineers and technologists ahead: B.C. forecast

Visit LMIOnline.ca for more information on the project and read the reports

Project Timelines: 01/2015 - 08/2015
Funding: Government of Canada

The Port of Montreal Drayage Labour Profile and Technology Penetration Study builds on work by the Skills Table around drayage industry issues in Metro Vancouver. The study established a demographic profile of the drayage population, and identified communications technologies currently in use and planned to be used by the drayage industry at the Port of Montreal. The project was undertaken in collaboration with the Montreal Port Authority.

Read the full report, Port of Montreal Drayage Labour Profile and Communications Study (English)

Profil du camionnage desservant le Port de Montréal — Profil de la main-d’oeuvre et étude sur les communications — Résumé (Francais)

Read the full release

Lire le communiqué ici en français

Transport Canada engaged the Skills Table to conduct this brief study that seeks to validate the widely accepted assumption that women are underrepresented in transportation careers across Canada, help understand the future supply of new entrants, and identify current programs and initiatives aimed to increase women participation in the transportation sector.

Read the report, Women in Transportation Careers – Understanding Participation in Canada

Project Timelines: 09/2013 - 12/2013
Funding: Industry Training Authority

The objective of the Accelerated Apprenticeship Learning for Mobile Crane Operators in B.C Pilot Project was to investigate, develop and pilot accelerated learning for mobile crane apprenticeships in B.C. The overall goal of the project was to improve completion times for mobile crane apprentices.

Project Timelines: 09/2012 - 03/2013
Funding: Government of Canada

The Asia Pacific Gateway Skills Table, as a part of its Labour Market Information (LMI) project, examined the business priorities for innovation, largely technology driven, and the incentives or barriers to it across the transportation and logistics sectors in Canada. Working in partnership with WESTAC, the APGST gathered information from business leaders in these sectors to build a greater understanding of what creates business decisions to implement technological innovations, their key areas of technology or innovation focus and associated expectations around technological skill and knowledge needs of labour force trades and professionals. The policy, regulatory and program challenges and opportunities were also examined.

This project focused on the attitudes in senior executives about their areas of focus for innovation and any impact on Human Resource programs, policies and planning for the businesses of the Asia Pacific Gateway & Corridor.

Read the report, Technology and Skills in Transportation.

Project Timelines: 09/2012 - 03/2013
Funding: Government of Canada

As a part of its 2012-2013 Labour Market Information project, the Skills Table examined in greater depth certain key occupations to provide a clearer picture of the issues and challenges that face Terminal employers in the Asia Pacific Gateway. This project examined the labour supply practice, the local nature of the labour supply/demand, as well as, the implications of any process or technology changes in the industry that could affect the nature of the work and skill requirements. The project focused on four critical trades in the container terminals of the B.C. Lower Mainland. The project examined the three main employers within Port Metro Vancouver: TSI – Vanterm and Deltaport, DP World – Centerm, and Fraser Surrey Docks.

The demand shock analysis for the lower mainland labour supply was for four 4-digit NOC categories:

• 7242 Industrial Electricians
• 7265 Welders
• 7311 Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics
• 7312 Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanics

Read the final report, Lower Mainland Container Terminals Project (Labour Market Projections for Selected Trades).

Project Timelines: 12/2012 - 03/2013
Funding: Government of Canada

The objective of this project was to develop a proof of concept that examines potential metrics for Port Metro Vancouver to generate a publicly available assessment of a drayage operator’s performance in environmental, safety, operational performance and cost areas.

The Drayage Metrics Proof of Concept is available on request.

Project Timelines: 09/2012 - 03/2013
Funding: Government of Canada

The objective of this project was to develop a labour force profile of drayage port drivers, including company drivers and owner operators, working in Metro Vancouver, providing specific information about size, demographics, equipment utilization, and trends in employment. It also looked at workers' use of training, educational background, and compensation.

The outcome of this project included qualitative and quantitative analysis of the current situation, insights into the trends in this labour sector, and identification of potential challenges and/or opportunities with port drayage drivers.

This project was led by the Trucking Steering Committee – Transport Canada, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and Port Metro Vancouver, and included the BC Trucking Association.

Read the report, Labour Force Profile of Port Drayage Drivers in Metro Vancouver.

Project Timelines: 09/2012 - 03/2013
Funding: Government of Canada

The objective of this project was to identify the issues and root causes of longer than one hour turn-time for drayage trucks to complete a single transaction through a Metro Vancouver port terminal.

In addition to emission and congestion challenges, excess turn-time raises the costs of truck drayage and terminal operations, delays import and export shipments, reduces shipment reliability, and cuts effective port capacity. All the relevant stakeholders have something to gain from minimizing truck turn-times at port terminals.

In response, Port Metro Vancouver, the BC Trucking Association, and the Asia Pacific Gateway Skills Table were interested in initiating a pilot project to document, analyze, and reduce the frequency of marine terminal truck turn-times over one hour. This project included participation from trucking, marine terminal and other industry partners.

Read the report, Port Metro Vancouver Truck Turn Time Study: Analysis, Results and Recommendations.

Project Timelines: 07/2012 - 03/2013
Funding: Government of Canada

The objectives of this project were to develop a better understanding of the drayage owner-operator business and to identify best business practices that could improve the economic performance of drayage owner-operators in Metro Vancouver.

To achieve this, the key activities included:

• Conduct research to develop an owner-operator drayage business and cost model; and,
• Conduct interviews with trucking companies and drayage owner-operators to identify the successful business practices of profitable drayage owner-operators.

The outputs from these two activities resulted in shared content that will be used to create two deliverables:

1. Owner-operator resource toolkit View the Drayage Trucking in Metro Vancouver Owner-Operator Business Toolkit
2. Final report on the successful business practices of profitable drayage owner-operators Read the report, Understanding Container Drayage Owner-Operators in Metro Vancouver.

The Skills Table partnered with the BC Trucking Association on this project.

Project Timelines: 02/2012 - 03/2013
Funding: Government of Canada

The objective of the Labour Market Initiative project was to improve the scope, currency, timeliness and availability of Asia Pacific Gateway labour market information (LMI). Employers, job seekers and trainers will have access to a robust and up-to-date set of LMI resources intended to support labour market and human resource planning.

The outcomes of the project included:

• a better understanding of the supply and demand of key Gateway occupations within both the northern and southern corridors as disseminated through its online clearinghouse;
• more comprehensive, current and timely LMI decision support and forecasting capacity for Gateway employers and job seekers to support human resource planning decisions; and,
• stronger industry engagement and participation in Gateway LMI development.

Read the summary, Asia Pacific Gateway Skills Table Labour Market Summary, 2013–2022.

Read the overview, B.C. Labour Market Requirements for the Asia Pacific Gateway, 2013 – 2022 Overview.

Read the report, B.C. Labour Market Requirements for the Asia Pacific Gateway, 2013 – 2022.

Read the report, Labour Market Requirements for the Northern British Columbia Asia Pacific Gateway, 2013–2022.

Read the report, Lower Mainland Labour Market Requirements for the Asia Pacific Gateway, 2013–2022.

Project Timelines: 10/2011 - 03/2013
Funding: Government of Canada

The primary objective of the Tracking Tradespersons Project was to analyze the factors that influence the movement of tradespersons.  This was achieved through a research project that examined the current state of labour mobility and the underlying reasons behind decisions made by tradespersons both pre- and post-apprenticeships.

Specifically, the project:

• Identified in what sector apprentices are being trained, what sectors they are pursuing a career, and why;
• Identified common career pathways of tradespersons;
• Analyzed the factors that influence labour mobility;
• Identified the key competencies that enhance skilled worker transferability;
• Understood how a Red Seal designation status influences labour mobility; 
• Provided a better understanding of the impact of key mobility legislation i.e. AIT, TILMA, NWPTA.

A better understanding of the movement of tradespersons may help to develop more accurate forecasts of training activities and the data to support those required training activities,  promotion of apprenticeship training that facilitates labour mobility hence leading to greater labour mobility for tradespersons trained in B.C. and  a wider, deeper pool of qualified tradespersons for APG stakeholders.

Read the report, Tracking Tradespersons: Understanding the Labour Mobility of Tradespersons in the Asia Pacific Gateway.

Read the summary, Tracking Tradespersons: Understanding the Labour Mobility of Tradespersons in the Asia Pacific Gateway - Executive Summary.

Project Timelines: 07/2010 - 03/2012
Funding: Government of Canada

The primary objective of the Building Capacity for Integrated and Strategic Planning in the Asia Pacific Gateway (APG) project was to facilitate more robust and integrated planning for and within the APG by building the knowledge, skills, capacities and networks of planners and those doing planning work in the Gateway.

The Asia Pacific Gateway (APG) is comprised of an integrated network of transportation systems that connect North America through key points along the British Columbia west coast. Many key players in the APG supply chain already perform their own planning functions - such as developing short and long term plans for the use of land, resources and infrastructure - with the goal of planning for future competitiveness in the APG corridor. Although there is some sharing of plans and perspectives, there is currently no forum or coordinated approach to bring municipal, regional, provincial, federal and private sector planners together to explore the skills and information needs required for integrated and strategic Gateway planning. This project aimed to establish and implement an inaugural forum to bring together professional planners and those doing planning work in a collective dialogue for the first time.

Read the report, Connecting Canada's Pacific Gateway: Enhancing Planning Capacity in the Metro Vancouver Region.

Project Timelines: 08/2009 - 03/2012
Funding: Government of Canada

The objective of the Supervisor/Foreperson Skill Development project was to provide Gateway employers and employees practical resources to help develop the skills and knowledge of existing and potential supervisors. The resources developed through this project support the recruitment and advancement of workers with direct work experience into supervisory roles.

This project had three main deliverables:

1. Resource Guide – identifies and describes the core competencies required for the Supervisor position and provides training options in B.C. to help develop these competencies.

2. Workshop – based on the resource guide, the workshop teaches participants how to create an individualized plan to identify and support the development of supervisory skills.

3. Research Study – provides insight into issues and best practices regarding supervisory development in order to recommend effective, practical solutions for the Gateway.

Contact Irene Mella to request a free printed copy or electronic copy of the Guide. 

Project Timelines: 04/2011 - 02/2012
Funding: Industry Training Authority (ITA)

The Asia Pacific Gateway Apprenticeship Engagement Initiative was delivered through three main integrated activities: Research – to better understand the participation of apprentices in APG trade occupations; Employer Apprenticeship Facilitation – to provide 1‐on‐1 apprenticeship facilitation and mentorship to Gateway employers; and Skills Competition Participation ‐ Youth Outreach – to promote ITA apprenticeship and Gateway employment opportunities to youth interested in trades at provincial, national, international events.

Project Timelines: 01/2010 - 12/2011
Funding: Government of Canada

The primary objective of the Labour Market Information Gap Analysis project was to develop a more accurate labour demand forecast for occupations in Gateway industries. The project supported cross-sectoral HR planning in the Asia Pacific Gateway by strengthening the quality and availability of key occupational demand and forecast data for labour market stakeholders in B.C.

This project enabled Gateway employers to employ labour market information in their strategic decision-making to expand operations, recruit employees and to set wages. Up-to-date and reliable LMI data and forecasting was made available to employers, suppliers of labour and policymakers to enable them to collectively respond to the dynamics of Canada's changing labour force market. Without relevant and timely LMI it is difficult for businesses or governments to respond and measure the cross-sectoral needs of the Asia Pacific Gateway inter-modal supply chain and deal with the anticipated labour shortages.

Read the report, B.C. Labour Requirements for the Asia Pacific Gateway, 2011-2019.

Project Timelines: 01/2010 - 12/2011
Funding: Government of Canada

The primary objective of the Clearinghouse Project was to develop an online portal that is the go-to resource for Gateway employers to find HR solutions, tools, and timely, topical information. The Clearinghouse equips Gateway employers with the tools to increase business productivity by recruiting and maintaining a highly flexible, innovative, and skilled workforce.

The Clearinghouse establishes and maintains summaries of cross-sectoral industry HR information and tools. It aims to improve information sharing among Gateway stakeholders and industries through establishing, maintaining, and disseminating relevant news, reports, training programs and HR information through an online library.

Project Timelines: 11/2009 - 08/2011
Funding: Government of Canada and Province of B.C.

The Human Resources Essentials for Small-to -Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) Workshop Pilot project placed essential HR skills in the hands of SME managers within Gateway industries. Leveraging the Canadian Trucking Human Resources Council's toolkit, Your Guide to Human Resources, workshops were held in the trucking industry and resources developed and delivered in the construction, security and marine industries. This initiative shared best practices for improved recruitment practices and retention rates.

Small-to -medium sized enterprises (companies with less than 50 employees) represent 98% of all businesses in B.C. and employ more than one million people across the province. At least 20% of all small businesses in B.C. (roughly 200,000 employees) operate in Gateway industries, such as transportation and construction. This project gave people without an HR background but who perform HR functions the essential tools and templates to reduce worker turnover.

The primary objective of this project was to identify preliminary strategies for attracting more youth to careers in transportation trades. This project was collaboration between the Skills Table and the UBC Sauder School of Business Early Career Masters program's Community Business project to complete some initial research and surveying on youth recruitment strategies. The student team worked with a faculty advisor at UBC to undertake a literature review and interviews with students, educators, and key Gateway stakeholders. UBC students presented their final findings in June 2011.

Read the full report

Project Timelines: 07/2010 - 04/2011
Funding: Government of Canada

The Transferable Skills Training and Certification for Asia Pacific Gateway (APG) Crane Operators project determined the viability and value of a single, recognized crane operator certification system for federally regulated APG crane operations and recommended a certification approach that could potentially extend throughout Canada. The Skills Table partnered with key stakeholders including B.C. Maritime in Employers Association, B.C. Association for Crane Safety, and other organizations in addressing this issue.

APG employers working under federal jurisdiction are required under Canada and Marine Occupational Health and Safety regulations to ensure crane operators are trained. However, unlike B.C.'s provincial regulations for mobile, tower and boom cranes, there is no competency standard for which to train, nor are there re-certification requirements outlined in the current federal regulations. Also absent is a single competency standard for federal crane operations that can satisfy the various regulatory agencies involved. There is industry interest to adopt a single, recognized crane training and certification standard for federally regulated crane operations in the APG.

The final report, Program Feasibility Report and Development Recommendations - Crane Operator Certification in the Asia Pacific Gateway (APG), identified stakeholders' consensus to move towards an industry-developed set of crane operator standards and a certification system for APG operations that would promote safer crane operators, increase worker mobility, and improve efficiency in the movement of goods through the Gateway. It also recommends how development should proceed.

Read the final report, Program Feasibility Report and Development Recommendations - Crane Operator Certification in the Asia Pacific Gateway (APG).

Project Timelines: 10/2010 - 03/2011
Funding: Transport Canada

The Skills Table received funding from Transport Canada to study current areas of innovation or technological improvement in the various sectors and associated operational industry sectors that comprise the Asia Pacific Gateway. The resulting report, Drivers for Change in the Asia Pacific Gateway: Business Priorities in the 2011 discusses areas of opportunity to enhance or encourage greater innovation. The primary focus of this study was on procedures and tools of innovation and technologic process improvement.

Read the report, The Innovation Imperative: Drivers for Change in the Asia Pacific Gateway

Project Timelines: 10/2010 - 03/2011
Funding: Province of B.C.

For this project, Gateway employers were funded to assess their firm’s training needs, informed of appropriate training programs, guided to appropriate HR solutions, and funded for employee training. The maximum funding available per employer was $5,000 and the maximum funding available per employee was $1,500.

This program allowed employers to make informed decisions about which training options address the specific needs of their organizations. After training was underway, APGST Training Fund Facilitators were available to provide additional human resource planning support, such as long-term training and HR strategies. Support was available upon request by the employer and at no cost.

For more information, please view the APGST Training Fund Overview.

Project Timelines: 03/2010 - 03/2011
Funding: Province of B.C.

The objective of the Solving Skills Shortages at the Prince George Airport (YXS) project was to build workforce capacity for workers at YXS by providing access to aviation certification, and upgrading and retraining programs. The goal was to increase the viability and competitiveness of Northern Gateway cargo activities.

The training was conducted in partnership with Initiatives Prince George Development Corporation (IPG), a non-profit economic development organization focused on enhancing the Prince George economy. More information on IPG can be found at www.initiativespg.com/.

Project Timelines: 07/2009 - 01/2011
Funding: Government of Canada and Province of B.C.

The Business of Shipping - Training Pilot project assisted the B.C. Shipping community in designing and piloting an industry-based program to augment knowledge of the shipping sector in B.C., and to increase recruitment into the shipping industry. The Chamber of Shipping of B.C. has been running the training seminars for almost 5 years.

Project Timelines: 05/2009 - 01/2010
Funding: Government of Canada

The objective of the B.C. Security Labour Market Roundtable project was to provide a forum for the engagement of the security sub-sector in the Gateway to identify common industry HR-planning pressures, and to identify solutions or responses to these pressures. The project also identified labour market needs, with proposed solutions to existing and projected demand. The roundtable was able to provide a clearer picture of the security sector's HR planning needs, by bringing employers together to identify and solve common HR issues in Gateway security.

The security industry in B.C. currently employs over 13,000 security personnel who, among their other duties, safeguard property assets associated with – and the goods moving through – B.C.'s Asia Pacific Gateway. It is not currently known how many of the 13,000 personnel are directly employed protecting Gateway goods and assets; however, what is understood is that retirement, the expanding B.C. economy, and changing skills profiles for this sector will translate into labour shortages. The security industry is not currently investigating labour issues and there is a risk that the industry will not be prepared to address the labour/skills shortages related to increased Gateway activity in coming years.

Read the final report, Security in the Asia Pacific Gateway: Human Resources Issues and Strategies

The BC Trucking Association (BCTA) and School District 73 (SD 73) agreed to collaborate on a high school (Grades 10-12) Commercial Driver Training Program curriculum. This will be the first high school commercial driver training program offered outside of Quebec and could be a template for other secondary schools in B.C.

The objective of the Foreign Qualifications Database Project was to develop an up-to-date foreign qualifications database of applied science and engineering technology educational programs in key source countries (the target being at least the top ten immigrant source countries). This will improve the Foreign Qualification Recognition (FQR) process by allowing ASTTBC to more easily assess educational credentials from countries included in the database.

The Skills Table partnered with the BC Association for Crane Safety (BCACS) and the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) on the British Columbia (B.C.)/Washington State (WA) Crane Certification Recognition Pilot Project. The primary objective of the project was to develop a mechanism that allows mobile crane operators from WA to work in B.C., while satisfying the safety licensing requirements before arriving in B.C. or through recognition of WA credentials.

Project Timelines: 03/2013 - 03/2014
Funding: Immigrant Employer Council of B.C. (IECBC) and Province of B.C.

The Tools for Assessing an Immigrant Truck Driver's Non-Canadian Experience project proposed to develop tools to assist the employer to more effectively and efficiently assess an immigrant’s application. The tools produced will help guide a qualified immigrant truck driver application through the screening phase and, ideally, to the point where he/she is considered as a serious, qualified applicant:

1. An International Trucking Workforce Reference Guide - The Reference Guide would provide information on the operating environment of other countries’ trucking sectors, including; workforce profiles, industry training approaches, licensing structure, truck driver labour codes, safety regulations and other factors deemed important by B.C. employers. This information would help a Canadian trucking employer better understand the immigrant’s country of origin experience and assist in the applicant's assessment.

2. A Truck Driver Skill and Experience Assessment (a pilot with 25 immigrant truck driver applicants throughout B.C.), which will provide employers third party verification (from credible source) that the immigrant applicant has the technical and soft skills to be a qualified professional truck driver in B.C.

Project Timelines: 01/2013 - 12/2013
Funding: Province of B.C.

The objective of the Working in B.C. project was to develop and pilot training resources that help Internationally Trained Professionals (ITPs) close the technical knowledge of Canadian standards and soft skills gaps that are frequently cited as barriers to employment in B.C. The training resources produced include: "Working in B.C." Workshops and Webinars; video vignettes of Internationally Trained Professionals (ITPs); an employer-focused video; pop-up banners; and career profile brochures.

Project Timelines: 12/2012 - 06/2013
Funding: Province of B.C.

The objective of this project was to analyze the existing and projected requirements and to complete vendor selection through RFP process for a new member management system/database (AMSoft) that would manage certification and registration.

Project Timelines: 12/2012 - 05/2013
Funding: Province of B.C.

The goal of the One-Year Experience in Canada Project was to reduce barriers to employment integration, particularly for Internationally Trained Professionals (ITPs) that require one-year of Canadian work experience for full ASTTBC certification.

The project:

• Defined the performance indicators typically expected of employees that have a minimum of one-year Canadian work experience.
• Developed alternate methods to achieve the intended outcome of having the equivalent of one-year Canadian work experience.
• Designed and developed a work experience log book to describe and document the knowledge, skills, attitudes and performance expected of employees that have one or more years of on-the-job experience in Canada.

Project Timelines: 02/2012 - 03/2013
Funding: Province of B.C.

The Skills Table partnered with the Applied Science Technologists & Technicians of B.C. (ASTTBC) on the Foreign Training Assessment for Technologists and Technicians project. A model and pilot was created to test the streamlining of foreign credential recognition for international graduates coming to work in Canada’s Asia Pacific Gateway.

Project Timelines: 05/2012 - 10/2012
Funding: Province of B.C.

Research and anecdotal evidence suggests that the B.C. trucking industry is experiencing, and will continue to experience in the short and medium term, shortages of long haul truck drivers (NOC 7411) and supporting occupations – dispatchers and radio operators (NOC 1475), supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators (NOC 7222), and automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers (NOC 7321).

The Skills Table partnered with the BC Trucking Association (BCTA) in the development of a B.C. Trucking Industry: Attraction, Recruitment and Retention Communications and Outreach Work Plan. It included:

• marketing activities that will educate potential recruits and influencers about career opportunities in the trucking industry;
• recruitment activities that will increase the supply of the professional truck driver and supporting occupations from under-represented groups – immigrants, women, young people and First Nations; and,
• outreach activities that will educate the B.C. trucking sector about progressive, innovative workplace practices that will improve recruitment rates and retention.

The work plan will allow the BCTA to undertake activities that position the B.C. trucking industry as an attractive, viable career option for new workers and help employers find ways to adopt work practices and create work environments that will make them employers of choice. Ultimately, with the implementation of the work plan, new recruits will benefit by gaining information about the career opportunities in B.C.’s trucking industry, possibly leading to stable employment. Employers will benefit by creating a more stable workforce thus improving corporate productivity and profits. The B.C. economy will also benefit due to the efficient movement of goods.

Project Timelines: 09/2010 - 08/2011
Funding: Province of B.C.

The objective of the project was to pilot the delivery of the BC Professional (Truck) Driver Training Program, an industry-led training model that combines formal classroom education, practical training, supervised work experience and work-based learning. Qualified and screened trainees were matched with employers that were prepared to sponsor the trainee for the Supervised Work Experience and Work-Based Learning components of the program. It also provided a strong lead to students for possible permanent employment upon graduation.

Funding: Alberta Ministry of Human Services

The Skills Table conducted a joint LMI project with the Calgary Logistics Council to determine the level of skill shortages in those logistics sectors that are key to the success of the Asia Pacific Gateway and Corridor. The findings are based on combined labour market information research, economic forecasting and data gathered through the Canadian Supply Chain Sector Council’s Human Resources Study Update Project.

Read the report, The Accelerator Project