Labour ministry says no specific country or targets set

The Vancouver Courier

Currie was commenting on an article that appeared last month in the Asian Pacific Post, an ethnic newspaper based in Richmond. According to the article, B.C. is hoping to recruit 30,000 skilled tradesmen, including electricians, plumbers and construction workers from India to construct the infrastructure needed for the Olympic Games, including housing and sports complexes. The article claims there are also another 25,000 vacant positions in other provinces. "Initially these people will get work permits," the article states. "Later they will be offered permanent residency."

"We do need skilled workers," Currie said. "But there are no specific targets. Anyone qualified can apply."

The article quotes information published in India claiming that due to a decreasing population, aging workforce and booming economy, countries like Canada and Australia are having problems filling skilled worker positions.

"Everybody between 22 and 60 years of age can apply," the article reads. "The processing time is much less than in other cases..."

Last May, the ministry published a report called the Provincial Human Resources Strategy to address issues concerning long and short term employment in B.C., with an eye on the 2010 Olympics. The report details the shortage of skilled workers in B.C. Trades contractors and supervisors are particularly in demand with an overall gap of 70 percent of the estimated demand. There's also a 59 percent gap in the need for construction and transportation managers, as well as a 36 percent gap in the demand for food service and accommodation managers. On the other hand, the ministry predicts a 300 percent surplus of trades helpers and labourers.

The report states there will be almost one million job openings expected in the next decade, and the strategy outlines how the provincial government is helping businesses meet their human resource needs.