Prince George’s unemployment rate took a dive below five percent last month due to opportunities in the construction industry.
New condo developments downtown and in the surrounding area are some examples of what is being provided for young employees, but the City continues to try to keep these workers in the North long-term.
PG Economic Development Manager Melissa Barcellos says if the $40 billion Kitimat LNG project is given the green light, despite not running through the Northern capital, it’ll create even more competition.
“If approved, they [Kitimat LNG] would have to lean on our residents as employees, selling products to them, bidding on contracts for construction; it opens up a lot of opportunities, but at the same time, there will be a lot of competition for people to work on the project.”
There’s no official timeline on a final investment for the Kitimat LNG pipeline,
For now, Barcellos says incentives should be considered from local businesses as well as the City, and its Move Up PG program is helping recruit and transition out-of-town workers for those local projects.
She believes businesses should also consider helping the new employee’s significant other if a big move is necessary.
“If the employers can help arrange networking opportunities and support not only their new employee but their spouse because once you get both partners living and working in Prince George, especially if they have a family, they could stay for life, which would be incredible and that’s the ultimate goal.”
For more information on Move Up PG, you can click here.