Whereas rural and northern communities in the Cariboo North Central region face significant labour market shortages across multiple sectors, including healthcare, education, skilled trades, and emerging natural resource industries; And whereas the region has experienced substantial economic disruption due to mill closures and contraction within the forest sector, increasing the need for retraining and workforce transition opportunities; And whereas access to locally delivered post-secondary and skilled trades training is essential to workforce development, economic resilience, and the long-term sustainability of rural and northern communities: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM advocate to the Province of British Columbia to prioritize and fund the delivery of post-secondary and skilled trades training in rural and northern communities to address regional labour shortages and support economic resilience.
