By IEC-BC | Link to Article
By IEC-BC | Link to Article
In recognition of the current demand for skilled professionals in northern BC communities IEC-BC developed and implemented a campaign and website to connect skilled new Canadians, living in Metro Vancouver, with jobs in three northern communities – Prince George, Prince Rupert and Fort St. John.
According to the BC Labour Market Outlook 2022, over one million jobs are expected to open up in BC by the end of this decade with many of the jobs being in central and northern BC.
The NorthernBC Jobs website features a job board showcasing current positions available in these communities. It also includes useful resources to build employer capacity to attract, hire and retain skilled immigrants, such as links to online tutorials and resources in the three communities.
The website was promoted through digital, print and broadcast advertising, video and collateral materials, digital ads on professional immigrant network websites and on social media (#BCNorthJobs). Since its launch in March 2015, the website has received between 200-250 unique visitors every day with 85 per cent of the hits from within Canada and the overwhelming majority from within BC.
Employers in the three communities also attended in-person workshops delivered in partnership with Human Resources Management Association, local chambers of commerce and employment services organizations. The workshops helped build the capacity of northern BC employers, especially small and medium enterprises, to hire and retain new Canadian talent more effectively.
The Northern BC Initiative is funded by the Province of BC, Ministry of Jobs, Tourism, and Skills Training with key project partners including local Chambers of Commerce and economic development organizations, the Human Resources Management Association, Hecate Strait Employment Development Society, Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society and S.U.C.C.E.S.S.