Transcript presentation title - Immigrant Employment Council of BC

IEC BC Forum in Prince George December 12, 2012
Heather Oland, CEO
Initiatives Prince George Economic Development Corporation
IPG’s Role
• Facilitate economic growth and
diversification
• Identify new opportunities and
connect businesses to them
• Facilitate population growth and
increase the tax base
Economic Context
• Opportunities:
– $35B in northern projects (20112014)
– $60B+ over 10 - 15 years
– Major employment growth across
a variety of sectors
– PG’s role as supply and service
hub for industry activities across
the North
Economic Snapshot
• 2006 - 2011 average annual population growth
+0.8%
• YTD employment growth +6.9%
• YTD home sales (units) +5.0%
• YTD housing starts +23.1%
• YTD housing prices +2.6%
• YTD value of building permits +52.0%
• YTD airport traffic +5.1%
– YXS believes they will break their all-time record for
passenger traffic in 2012. The current record is 417,484
passengers, 2008
Economic Update (YTD October 2012)
Implications
• Growing Economy:
– Employment opportunities are surging
in wealth-creating sectors
– Also seeing employment demand
increase in supporting sectors
• Firms have indicated they are
constrained by the lack of people to
fill positions and facilitate growth
Implications
• The current labour supply is not
expanding at the same rate as
business opportunities
• Attraction of new population to our
city is critical to labour force
expansion and economic growth
New Marketing
Materials
• New marketing materials focus on
qualities that competitively
differentiate Prince George
• Common Themes Identified:
– Prince George is a city where people
can “get ahead”
– Opportunity and affordability allow you
to make your dreams reality in Prince
George
– You can’t buy time, but in Prince
George you have more of it
New Materials
• Main Resources:
– Informative website to support
employer recruitment efforts
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Amenities
Real-estate and rentals
Job opportunities
Resources for employers
Business card handouts
Notepads
Key messages card
Web buttons
Job ad banner
Recruitment Events
• IPG’s Role:
– Facilitate population and employment
growth as well as expand the customer
base for business and the tax base for
the city:
• Supporting employers by marketing the city
• Answering questions that would support a full
family move
Partnerships
• Immigrant Employment Council
• Prince George Chamber of Commerce
• IMSS and Welcoming Communities
• BC Provincial Nominee Program
• BC Construction Association
• Many more!
Help IPG Help You
• Use IPG’s resources:
– Recruitment and Retention
– Business and Investment Attraction
• Keep us apprised of challenges and
successes
• Let us know about resources, workshops
and events that will help us help you grow
your business
Q&A