COLLABORATION

COLLABORATION Association of BC Marine Industries and Association of Pacific Ports announce collaboration agreement

The Association of BC Marine Industries (ABCMI) and the Association of Pacific Ports (APP) are pleased to announce a collaboration agreement that includes reciprocal membership in both associations for Canadian ports. Noting that the two organizations share many goals — creating opportunities for growth, addressing issues such as maritime workforce and skill development, and promoting best practices and innovative technologies to name just a few — ABCMI Executive Director Alex Rueben and APP Executive Director Jane McIvor ...the two organizations share many goals — creating expressed excitement about the potential opportunities for growth, addressing issues such as maritime for collaboration. “While ABCMI membership is focused on the industrial mar- workforce and skill development, and promoting best ine sector of Canada’s West Coast, many practices and innovative technologies to name just a few... of the issues identified here are equally relevant for other jurisdictions,” Rueben From McIvor’s perspective, the tech- strengthen ABCMI’s efforts as they said. McIvor agreed, adding such things nology sector within the ABCMI could develop proposed similar initiatives in as efficient port access, streamlining of provide APP members throughout the partnership with the B.C. Provincial permitting processes, and the scarcity Pacific with ideas and solutions for local Government and industry sectors. of industrial land to the list of issues of issues. “Having a familiarity with the As the collaboration between the two interest for both organizations. innovations being developed in British associations moves forward, McIvor

Established in 2015, ABCMI’s mem- Columbia, I can see many applications and Rueben will be working together to bership encompasses six sectors: ship- that would provide significant benefits identify those areas where the alignment building and ship repair, industrial for our membership,” she said. “Our of goals will provide the greatest oppormarine services, marine professional mandate to promote best practices and tunities for members. Engagement of services, marine products, small craft new technologies will most assuredly be members through co-hosted events, marine construction and repair, and furthered by this collaboration.” showcasing best practices and lessons ocean science and technology. In 2019, Another area where interests cross learned, and providing a forum where these sectors generated a total output of is the recruitment and development of common issues can be discussed will $6.8 billion and contributed a total of a skilled workforce for the maritime only serve to strengthen the value that $3.7 billion in GDP to the provincial industry. Both Rueben and McIvor both associations are providing to their economy. These sectors comprise 1,039 noted strong competition from other members. companies, directly employing 21,925 industries in efforts to attract a younger For more information on the ABCMI: workers and sustaining a total of 32,820 generation to a career in the mar- www.abcmi.ca jobs in the province. Within the indus- ine industry. “The Port of Stockton, For more information on the APP: trial marine services sector, Rueben sees California, for example, implemented www.pacificports.org port infrastructure as an area where a joint effort could realize positive results. “For example,” he said, “the supply of an Internship Program which, from the recruitment process through to apprenticeship practices and evaluation, Contact: Jane McIvor Association of Pacific Ports drydock space in British Columbia is provides a great road map on how to 604-893-8800 / jane@pacificports.org under capacity. Working with the APP develop an effective program for both Alex Rueben and Canadian ports could provide the the organization and the student,” said Association of BC Marine Industries catalyst needed to provide solutions.” McIvor. Using examples like this will 778-679-6901 / alex@abcmi.ca