MHA Dwight Ball says the Humber Valley has the potential to play a significant role in the major industrial and resource boom projected for the province and across Canada as a whole over the next decade, by establishing a Centre of Excellence to directly address the growing shortage of skilled labour. 

“Atlantic Canada may see over $72 billion in major project development over the next few years, with our province accounting for over half of that growth”, says Ball.   According to the annual list of large-investment projects issued by the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council,  some 407 projects are identified in various stages of development across the region.  These include the potential oil refinery construction; the Lower Churchill development; White Rose expansion; Voisey’s Bay commercial processing facility, as well as the proposed Hebron project.  

“These are some of the excellent opportunities for communities to take advantage of and find their particular niche; and I am recommending that Humber Valley be part of this forward-looking approach in addressing the shortage of skilled trades people that is expected with the upswing in energy-related demands and projects.  We have excellent airport facilities, available infrastructure, as well as leading small business people who can come together to create a Centre of Excellence for skilled based training. 

“Industry has been crying out for more skilled labour for the past few years with 60 per cent to 70 per cent of industries polled worried about available workers as mega-projects heat up.   In fact, with the boom in Alberta, the government there is predicting a shortfall of 100,000 workers over the next decade - a situation that threatens the $107 billion in expected capital projects.  This will mean increased competition for workers and more difficulty for our region. 

“While foreign and aging workers across the country are being sought by industry to solve some of this problem, most agree part of the solution has to come from young people making career choices now.  This is another example where prevention is better than the cure.”  

The Liberal MHA suggests that the Humber Region needs to grab hold now and “pick that low-hanging fruit”.   He is proposing that Humber Valley become home to a specialty training institute – partnered by government and industry to significantly increase the output of skilled trades-people, as determined by identified needs for the short to long-term future.   

“I am committing to working with the provincial, federal and municipal governments in Humber Valley to find a public-private partnering solution to this need. It is a great opportunity to work with small business, major industrial proponents, our skilled labour force and trade unions to open up opportunities for the district and our people and address some of the ongoing issues in this province.” 

 Ball points to some of the benefits of such a centre: 

1. Generates new revenues for the province and for  Humber Valley;
2. Allows a region which is not immediately adjacent to these resources to benefit from their development;
3. Slows out-migration from the region as new opportunities for business and skilled trades-people are created within the institute;
4. Continues to decentralize post-secondary opportunities;
5. Continues to grow the regional airport in Deer Lake where industry can do fly-in programs for employees continuing or finishing their skilled trade education;
6. Utilizes existing infrastructure and potential new construction for onsite residences for the proposed campus;
7. Gains national recognition for the district as industry involvement is developed and fostered,
8. Responds in part to the national critical shortage of various trades;
9. Potential for new federal and provincial dollars in the region, and represents continued progressive growth for Humber Valley.

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