The Challenge
B.C.’s value-added wood sector was experiencing a number of key workforce challenges that were impacting employer profitability, including acute labour shortages, a lack of diversity and advancement and training opportunities.
The BC Wood Specialties Group Association (“BC Wood”), a non-profit trade association, engaged Deetken to conduct a labour market study to understand the key labour supply/demand challenges impacting the industry. Based on this study, Deetken was later engaged to develop a workforce development strategy to help employers address their most pressing workforce issues.
Our Approach
For the labour market study, Deetken analyzed publicly-available labour market data, the results of a survey of employers and employer roundtable discussions, and prepared a workforce supply and demand forecast model. The results of our study were published in a report, BC Value-added Wood Products: Labour Market Information Report, in December 2018.
For the workforce development strategy, Deetken conducted extensive interviews with representatives from across the industry, including employers, employees, training providers, career influencers, First Nations employment programming experts and other industry groups, replying on guidance from an active industry-led advisory board.
Based on our research, we identified four key strategies to drive a 3-year workforce development plan: (1) awareness building and communications around career opportunities in the sector; (2) development of a work-ready training initiative; (3) skilled worker training; and (4) increased workforce development supports for employers.
Outcome
Our work culminated in a 65-page strategic plan, BC Value-added Wood Products:
Workforce Development Strategic Plan, which was published by BC Wood in December 2021.
Our report included detailed cost models for the implementation of the strategic plan, as well as an evaluation approach for measuring progress.
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