Board Chair honoured with medal

SNCIRE signs MOUS with two regional organizations

SNCIRE welcomes Northwest human resources strategy coordinator

The Skeena-Nass Centre for Innovation in Resource Economics (SNCIRE) is happy to welcome Don Ramsay to our team as the Implementation Coordinator for the Northwest Transmission Line Labour Market Partnership Project (NTL LMP).

Ramsay will be responsible for implementing key recommendations outlined in the NLMP human resources strategy, for example, hosting a labour market summit and creating an outreach plan to encourage skilled workers who left Northwest BC to return home. The goal of these initiatives is to fill the thousands of jobs coming to the area as a result of major industrial projects with as many locals as possible.

"My job entails bringing together many different stakeholders in a variety of projects. This will be challenging but is important if we, as a region, want to take advantage of the opportunities knocking on our door," says Ramsay. "I jumped at the chance to be involved with this exciting opportunity and work with SNCIRE, an organization dedicated to regional resilience."

Ramsay's work experience includes 14 years as manager of the Skeena District of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and a short stint as the Chief Administrative Officer of the City of Terrace.

"Don has a proven track record of getting the job done and we are thrilled to welcome him to our team," says SNCIRE executive director Rick Brouwer.

"The successful implementation of the Northwest human resources strategy will have huge long terms benefits for our region," he added. "Locals will have the opportunity to work in high-paid positions and access skills training that will enable them to find future employment. Ultimately, more money will go into the pockets of people in our local communities and that's always a good thing."

SNCIRE was awarded the NW LMP coordinator contract at the start of September 2012.

The development of the Northwest human resources strategy, and the decision to hire an implementation coordinator, are the result of more than a year of meetings and research by a steering committee made up of regional and out-of-region representatives from government, education, industry, First Nations and community.

The committee was funded by the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Industry BC, and sponsored by BC Hydro's Northwest Transmission Line project.

For more info about the project go to the BC Hydro website.

Forest magazine features Beyond Lumber

The Association of BC Forest Professionals has recognized SNCIRE, Skeena Diversity and Northwest Community College's effort to highlight the Skeena-Nass region's diverse natural resources and talent. The association has featured the Beyond Lumber - Art from Nature Conference and Art Show in its Forestry Team in Action section of the September/October issue of the association's magazine. Check it out!