Port Alberni's workforce pivots from forestry to green construction

Port Alberni, once known as the forestry capital of Vancouver Island, is actively transitioning its economy away from traditional timber industries. The city has faced significant disruptions, including mill curtailments and layoffs, prompting a strategic pivot towards green construction and manufacturing.

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Port Alberni has an incredibly skilled and resilient workforce, and this program is helping connect that local talent to the future of housing delivery.

In response to these economic shifts, the City of Port Alberni has collaborated with IGV Housing, North Island College, and WorkBC. This partnership has launched a program designed to train local residents for careers in the burgeoning green building sector. The initiative aims to equip the community's skilled and resilient workforce with the necessary expertise for future employment.

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As IGV Housing grows in Port Alberni, we need skilled employees who understand safety, teamwork, and build quality. This program helps create that foundation while supporting people who want to keep working, building, and contributing in their own community.

Jodie Thompson, chief of staff for IGV Housing, highlighted the program's success in connecting local talent with the future of housing delivery. She stated that the program provides a foundation in safety, teamwork, and build quality, enabling individuals to continue contributing to their community. IGV Housing, which is expanding in Port Alberni, expects to hire 15 employees from the program's second cohort. Tai Uhlmann, senior project manager for circular economy at Synergy Foundation, praised the partnership for strengthening local employment pathways and promoting sustainable construction practices.

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Programs like this help ensure workers can access the training and certifications they need to participate in emerging green economy opportunities close to home.