FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 18, 2018
Photo enclosed (Surrey Board of Trade with the Immigrant Employment Council of BC -IECBC- at the 6th Surrey Manufacturing Reception: Hanif Ladha-IECBC, Anita Huberman-Surrey Board of Trade, Eduardo Bananal-IECBC)
The 6th Surrey Manufacturing Reception took place last night at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel, hosted by the Surrey Board of Trade. This is an annual celebration of the enormous impact Surrey’s manufacturing sector has on the rest of BC during October’s Manufacturing Month and during Small Business Week.
“Manufacturing matters,” says Anita Huberman, CEO, Surrey Board of Trade.
Surrey is home to a wide range of manufacturing businesses, spanning from robotics and technology companies to machinery and furniture producers.
Thanks to vast forests and rich mineral deposits, a highly educated workforce, and a province-wide focus on research and innovation, B.C.’s manufacturing companies are making the planet and its people healthier and more productive with a vast array of manufactured products. Surrey manufacturers:
1. Feed the world with nutritious products from our waters, farms and greenhouses;
2. Make people healthier with products that fight disease, improve mobility and boost immunity;
3. Build homes worldwide with a wide range of newer, stronger wood products;
4. Connect people and devices with technology and satellites that move information faster and more reliably than ever before;
5. Keep transportation and economies moving with clean energy systems that reduce costs as well as our reliance on fossil fuels;
6. Employ nearly 24,000 of Surrey’s labour force works in the manufacturing sector – almost 3% above the provincial average
7. Pay wages that are 15% higher than the overall average for all industries;
8. Impact the economy – every $1 of manufacturing generates $3 in total economic activity; and
9. Dominate exports, producing and shipping goods valued at $26.4 billion, some 67% of all exports and 75% of merchandize trade.
Two announcements were also made at the Surrey Board of Trade’s 6th Surrey Manufacturing Industry Reception:
FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT
1. The event took place on the first day of Cannabis Legalization. The Surrey Board of Trade, earlier this year, released a support guide to help Surrey employers manage cannabis in the workplace. The Surrey Board of Trade is the only business organization that has taken this proactive step for our members.
Go online for a ‘made for business’ tool that businesses can use to strengthen their human resource policies in your workplaces. An Employer Support Guide and a Sample Policy has been created. Go online to www.businessinsurrey.com.
SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT
2. Surrey Board of Trade Commitment to Surrey’s Manufacturing Industry Sector:
The Surrey Board of Trade has committed to do three things as a result of the City of Surrey Advanced Manufacturing Labour Report.
1. HUMAN CAPITAL SUPPORT: We will Increase the use of co-ops and interns to provide Surrey manufacturers access to skills at a reduced cost.
Level of awareness and uptake of co-op programs is very low by Surrey manufacturers.
➢ Establish partnership with industry and solicit funding from the BC government to pay for a portion of costs to increase use of co-ops and interns (similar to the program undertaken by BC Tech).
➢ The primary focus should be 8-month rather than 4-month co-ops, as they are more beneficial to companies.
2. FUNDING: The Surrey Board of Trade will promote on-the-job training and upskilling of existing workers through greater use of the Canada Job Grant program.
3. TRAINING: Ensure post-secondary institutions partner with local manufacturers to develop and undertake short training programs (evenings, weekends) for operations and senior management personnel to equip them with Industry 4.0 skills and capabilities.
There are more details to this. Stay tuned as the Surrey Board of Trade’s International and Industry Team roll out a series of communications and projects to undertake these activities in 2019.
The 6th Surrey Manufacturing Industry Reception would not be possible without the support of sponsors. Thank you to:
Presenting Sponsor:
● Kwantlen Polytechnic University – Where thought meets action!
And thank you to our Supporting Sponsor:
● Envision Financial
Community Sponsors:
● The Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Association
● The Industry Training Authority; and
● Sage Group
Media Sponsor:
· 107.7 PulseFM – Surrey’s Radio Station
–30–
H. CAPTAIN (ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY) ANITA PATIL HUBERMAN
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
101 – 14439 104 Avenue, Surrey BC Canada, V3R 1M1
P | 604.634.0342 O | 604.581.7130 C | 604.340.3899 E | anita@businessinsurrey.com
