January 28, 2009 – Victoria, BC – Faced with the challenge of attracting and keeping the right number of people with the proper skills to fill jobs across Vancouver Island, the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance (VIEA) is inviting organizers and leaders from business, First Nations, and government to participate in a survey that will help it develop a human resources strategy to guide the Island’s economy. 

 

Respondents are being asked to identify the staffing issues and challenges they face in their particular businesses, industries and regions, today and in the coming years.

 

“We want to engage the greatest depth and breadth of voices that we can,” explains Cori Lynn Germiquet, President to the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance. “In order to serve our constituents, we must hear their ideas and opinions directly. This survey is intended to collect information from communities around Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.”

 

To participate, Island employers are asked to provide their input online at www.labourmarketstrategy.ca, or over the telephone by calling 1 (866) 680-3926 extension 306. The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.

 

The VIEA selected the consulting firm of Ference Weicker & Company to design and administer the survey based on the company’s experience with economic and employment development projects around British Columbia.

 

“It is important for us to hear from as many Vancouver Island employers as possible,” explains Ted Weicker, senior partner at Ference Weicker. “We’re striving to represent this broad and varied community to ensure that the results are relevant to all the VIEA members and regions,” he states.

The Government of Canada has contributed funding to this initiative.