In 2013-14, Selkirk College and College of the Rockies established the Kootenay Regional Workforce Table (KWRT) to survey employers from East and West Kootenay / Boundary communities about workforce development challenges and priorities.  As a result, the Regional Skills Training Plan 2013 – 2020 was developed.

Four goals were identified:

• Goal 1: Enhance and build regional industry – education – community collaboration.

• Goal 2: Enhance training related to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

• Goal 3: Help lower skilled people upgrade and upskill.

• Goal 4: Continue to ensure that local training is aligned to workforce needs.

As the project evolved, the goals were revised in 2017:

• Goal 1: Grow Competitive Clusters

• Goal 2: Build a 21st Century Workforce

• Goal 3: Facilitate Inclusive Access to Quality Jobs

• Goal 4: Enhance Regional Industry/Education/Community Collaborations

The Columbia Basin Trust has funded Selkirk College to implement pilot projects that promote these goals and which continue to work with employers in the region to implement the goals and priorities of the Regional Skills Training Plan (RSTP).  A project steering committee directs and oversees implementation of an action plan.  The steering committee meets on a quarterly basis or as needed (face-to-face or tele-conference) to track implementation of the action plan and to determine new workforce development and training opportunities and priorities.  View committee terms of reference.

View regional labour market statistics.

We welcome your participation and input to shape workforce development, training and skills development for competitiveness of Kootenay-Boundary businesses and industries.

_____________________________________________________________________________

For more information, please contact: Carol Currie, Kootenay Workforce Development Coordinator, Selkirk College tel: 250.365.1351 or ccurrie@selkirk.ca

Subscribe to the Kootenay Workforce Development E-Newsletter.