Aware of persisting labour shortages for some time now, the British Columbia (BC) government has been investing in WorkBC, the provincial action plan to address skills shortages.

Facilitating the integration of newcomers into the workforce is a main focus of WorkBC - providing credential recognition and training services, access to BC employer information, and guidance to help immigrants transition into the workplace. The Skills Connect for Immigrants Program, an employment bridging program and a key component of WorkBC, has already exceeded its 2007/2008 fiscal targets of helping 1,500 immigrants find work in BC (200 in the health sector). The program has been "very successful in helping immigrants overcome the barriers they face in finding jobs matching their current skills, qualifications and experience," as stated by Colin Hansen, BC Minister of Economic Development. Since the Skills Connect Program began in July 2006, 2,300 skilled immigrants in BC have benefited. As of March 20, 2008, 1,515 immigrants are enrolled in the program.

Two other announcements for immigrant job-seekers were recently made by Minister Hansen. One is a $1 million allocation to further improve credential recognition programs in BC – part of a $3.1 million contribution from the Government of Canada’s Foreign Credential Recognition Program. The other is a new pilot project at the Vancouver Public Library, which will provide newcomers with customized employment information to help them find work in their field. "The library is often the first place recent immigrants come as they begin their job hunt," explained Vancouver City Librarian Paul Whitney.

"B.C. is aggressively courting skilled immigrants from overseas and across Canada in order to fill many of the one million job openings available over the next decade," Hansen stated. "In inviting them here, we have the responsibility to ensure they are able to use their skills, knowledge and experience in their chosen field."