Abbotsford News
Friday, September 18, 2015
A19
myBusiness E N G AG I N G C O N S U M E R S • B U I L D I N G C O M M U N I T Y
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What’s needed for the workforce of the future? Six billion dollars. That’s the estimated cost in lost GDP every year in British Columbia as a result of a skills gap or skills mismatches. It’s a cost that every local economy wants to avoid. It means there’s a disconnect between the education and skills employers need and those employees and graduates have. The fast pace of change means communities, businesses and workers have to be flexible in response. No one wants to be caught flat-footed in the face of disruptive innovation or transformative technologies. It’s far better to identify the growth sectors, the jobs of the future and the transferrable skills to help workers adapt. Yet, as Yogi Berra said, “It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.” Today, Abbotsford is planning for the future. It has a diversified economy, a diverse local workforce and a postsecondary institution right within its community. These are valuable ingredients in a recipe for economic success. But, what skills are needed and what are the jobs of the future? Demand for jobs is highest in occupations that rely on skills in science, technology, engineering and/ or math (STEM). But, soft skills are also in high demand. In British Columbia, 73% of employers were concerned
about a lack of skills in critical thinking, oral communication, literacy and teamwork. Post-secondary institutions are one of the driving forces of the knowledge and know-how economy in Canada. Educational institutions with strong long-term relationships with employers are best at equipping students for employment, and the most successful institutions are acutely aware of the needs of the local economies around them. The future planning exercises at the City of Abbotsford and at the University of the Fraser Valley offer valuable chances to connect and collaborate. The strength of a shared vision and ongoing relationships between business and educators should make a positive difference to Abbotsford’s economic and workforce success. Sarah Anson-Cartwright will be a panelist at the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce’s luncheon event with the University of the Fraser Valley on September 23. To attend please call the Chamber office at 604-859-9651 or go to www.abbotsfordchamber.com. Sarah Anson-Cartwright is a Director for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce specializing in Skills Policy. See the Canadian Chamber’s report Fragmented Systems: Connecting Players in Canada’s Skills Challenge. www.chamber.ca.
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