Prince George is expected to bring in and maintain hundreds of construction-related jobs with new developments taking place over the next three to five years.
That’s according to Mayor Lyn Hall, speaking at this morning’s second PG Chamber of Commerce (PGCC) Political Breakfast Series on City growth and infrastructure.
Nearly 200 positions are set for the building of the new Four Seasons Pool and Main Fire Hall station projects, both receiving high praise from October’s referendum vote.
Hall says those will help shape the economy and support local residents.
“It gives you an opportunity to stay at home with your family with a good paying job. For me, the underlying factor is that it keeps young families together, it keeps young workers in Prince George, and making certain that we don’t lose them because they’re valuable to our community and we would like them to stay with us.”
While this seems like a good sign for the City, his Worship says jobs related to the industry depend on post-secondary students, apprentices, and other young people drawing interest in the field.
As there is a shortage of seats for certain programs at UNBC and the College of New Caledonia (CNC), it’s caused a tiff between PG City Council and the provincial government with more spaces being offered to universities in the Lower Mainland.
.@Lynhallpg says young workers depend on employment for the next 3-5 years with City development projects like the Four Seasons Pool & Fire Hall #1; adds more than 200 jobs will be created with these facilities upon completion by 2021 | #CityOfPG #PGCCBreakfast pic.twitter.com/Rx2TBeEKN6
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) June 14, 2018
Hall says there needs to be flexibility for local employees.
“We want to say to the province, ‘Look, let’s expand in areas that are beneficial to us in the north!’ CNC is around the trades area and I know there has been some expansion, but I’d like to continue to work hard on seeing more. If you talk about UNBC, we have the engineering program now and having a physiotherapy program is a necessity for us here in the north as well. So we will continue to work to make sure we can go get that message sent.”
The City is also hoping to create ‘perks’ for young people moving to the Northern capital for work through it’s Move Up PG initiative.
.@PGChamber1 hosts 2nd breakfast of Political Series this AM with @Lynhallpg as its guest speaker; local businesses/officials learning about municipal politics & how it affects them | #CityOfPG pic.twitter.com/g9GXo5QHEs
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) June 14, 2018