Grand Forks A call for skilled labourers Worker shortage is touching every industry by WHITNEY BLACK
Kevin Dowkes, engineering and project manager with Unifab Industries, can see both the upside and the downside to a strong economy. While the growing economy in British Columbia is a boon in many aspects of running a business, it also means the cost of labour is on the increase.
“There is already a lack of skilled tradesmen in the area, and now we have to deal with the inflating labour costs as well,” Dowkes said. “We try to be good employers and take our own precautions to keep the workers we do have already.”
While Dowkes doesn’t see a whole lot changing in the near future for the industry, he does think there will be a rebirth in the forestry sector.
“Now that they have this softwood issue being settled, I think we could definitely see a rise in the amount of work in the forestry sector,” he said.
Dowkes said most of the employees they hire are trained within the company or are hired as apprentices.
Key Grand Forks contacts
Merit Mining Corp 550-580 HORNBY ST Vancouver, BC PHONE: (604) 694-2344 WEBSITE: www.meritminingcorp.com
Live in Nature. Play in Nature. Kootenay Lake Village is a one-of-a-kind waterfront development being created on 450 acres of beautiful forestland with almost three kilometres of shoreline on the spectacular and expansive Kootenay Lake. One-hundred-year-old forests still cover much of this outstanding property, which receives long hours of sunshine. Experience the breathtaking views of the lake and alpine peaks of the Selkirk and Purcell mountain ranges year round. Adjoining Kootenay Lake Village are fifty kilometers of undeveloped, pristine waterfront real estate and an abundance of secluded beaches.
Kootenay Lake Development Corp. (kootenay Lake Village) Po Box 1053 Nelson, BC PHONE: (250) 505-5558
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