Abbotsford News
Friday, September 18, 2015
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myBusiness E N G AG I N G C O N S U M E R S • B U I L D I N G C O M M U N I T Y
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What’s needed for the workforce of the future? Six billion dollars. That’s the estimated cost in lost GDP every year in British Columbia as a result of a skills gap or skills mismatches. It’s a cost that every local economy wants to avoid. It means there’s a disconnect between the education and skills employers need and those employees and graduates have. The fast pace of change means communities, businesses and workers have to be flexible in response. No one wants to be caught flat-footed in the face of disruptive innovation or transformative technologies. It’s far better to identify the growth sectors, the jobs of the future and the transferrable skills to help workers adapt. Yet, as Yogi Berra said, “It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.” Today, Abbotsford is planning for the future. It has a diversified economy, a diverse local workforce and a postsecondary institution right within its community. These are valuable ingredients in a recipe for economic success. But, what skills are needed and what are the jobs of the future? Demand for jobs is highest in occupations that rely on skills in science, technology, engineering and/ or math (STEM). But, soft skills are also in high demand. In British Columbia, 73% of employers were concerned
about a lack of skills in critical thinking, oral communication, literacy and teamwork. Post-secondary institutions are one of the driving forces of the knowledge and know-how economy in Canada. Educational institutions with strong long-term relationships with employers are best at equipping students for employment, and the most successful institutions are acutely aware of the needs of the local economies around them. The future planning exercises at the City of Abbotsford and at the University of the Fraser Valley offer valuable chances to connect and collaborate. The strength of a shared vision and ongoing relationships between business and educators should make a positive difference to Abbotsford’s economic and workforce success. Sarah Anson-Cartwright will be a panelist at the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce’s luncheon event with the University of the Fraser Valley on September 23. To attend please call the Chamber office at 604-859-9651 or go to www.abbotsfordchamber.com. Sarah Anson-Cartwright is a Director for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce specializing in Skills Policy. See the Canadian Chamber’s report Fragmented Systems: Connecting Players in Canada’s Skills Challenge. www.chamber.ca.
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Friday, September 18, 2015
Abbotsford News
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Monthly publication brought to you courtesy of our Media Partner:
E N G AG I N G C O N S U M E R S • B U I L D I N G C O M M U N I T Y
2015
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS Joshua Bach PRESIDENT
Kenda Allen
VICE PRESIDENT
Mark Dana DIRECTOR
Brandon Kelley TREASURER
Hilary Beard DIRECTOR
abbotsfordchamber.com
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE I’m going to Thailand and Hong Kong in March 2016 - would you like to join me? After two successful trips to China, including an excursion to the Terra Cotta Warriors in Xi’an we have picked an exotic new destination for next year. Our 9-day trip to Thailand and Hong Kong departs on March 12, 2016 returning March 20th. We’ll visit Bangkok’s Golden Palace, relax on Coral Island’s beaches, enjoy the Peak views in Hong Kong and so much more! Our trip includes: Round-trip international airfare, 4 & 5 star hotel
accommodations, 3 meals per day, deluxe tour buses, Englishspeaking tour guides and admission to all attractions. It even includes return bus transportation from Abbotsford to the Vancouver Airport. All this for just $2,999 for Chamber members. Non-chamber members are also invited to attend (+$150 per person). Deadline to register for the trip is November 20th.
Sevenoaks Shopping Centre. Our tour host, Citslinc International, a company with more than 33 years’ experience in Southeast Asia tours will provide detailed information on the trip and answer questions.
We will be holding an orientation meeting at 6:00pm on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 in the Sevenoaks Boardroom, 2nd floor,
Don’t miss out on this opportunity for a great adventure to a new destination with your friends at the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce.
For more detailed information, including an Itinerary and Frequently Asked Questions please go to our website at www. abbotsfordchamber.com or call the Chamber office at (604) 859-9651.
NEW BUSINESSES: Sara Lawson DIRECTOR
Parm Sidhu DIRECTOR
The Abbotsford Chamber would like to welcome the following businesses: Becoming a member of the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce provides substantial benefits to generate more business and reach the heart of your community.
David Sheach DIRECTOR
Brad Friesen DIRECTOR
Dave Miller DIRECTOR
Mark Warkentin DIRECTOR
• • • • •
Mt. Lehman Vegetable Farm................................604-856-3360 Colour and Company Full Service Salon ...........604-556-3309 Restore Homeopathic Clinic ................................604-302-8413 Luminate Wellness.................................................604-807-4846 Carolyn Carson – Sutton Group West Coast Realty .........................778-878-4687 • Integra Law Group .................................................604-859-7187 • Transform Compost Systems Ltd. .......................604-856-2722 • Mister Transmission...............................................778-771-0908
Are You Protected? According to a recent study of 350 organizations in 11 countries by the Poneman institute, the average per capita cost paid for each lost or stolen record containing sensitive and confidential information increased 6 percent, jumping from $145 in 2014 to $154 in 2015. So how does Canada fair? Because we are new to the study, we only have the 2015 figures to compare, but it appears that we do better when it comes to IT active data security. Hat’s off to our IT industry. The bad news is, when it comes to breaches due to human error, we’re the highest amongst the 11 countries. So the answer is yes, Canada has record breaches too but we can remedy some of these breaches by elevating asset management into a IT security sphere of influence. US companies have been doing that for years but few do it internally. I have yet to encounter any US multinational with operations in Canada that doesn’t ship their retired assets to the US to perform ITAD (IT Asset Disposition) services. Why go through that logistical nightmare? It’s because a properly executed ITAD operation will bring to light many hidden risks that can be remedied as part of a greater IT Asset Management plan. The information gleaned from the operation can identify equipment that can be re- allocated, provide a shorter commissioning time on new equipment, a higher return on the decommissioned equipment while providing third party impartiality and indemnification. Also, ITAD providers deliver these benefits often at a lower overall cost to the organization than doing it internally. All good reasons, but the most important reason is that until recently, there were no full service specialized ITAD providers in Western Canada. That has changed. For free information or to schedule a Data Security/ ITAD evaluation, please call 1-888-247-1629 or visit our website at www.novagreentec.com
Glass is beautiful.
Anyway you look at it! • Unique Giftware • Custom Pieces
Stu McIntosh DIRECTOR
Melinda Friesen DIRECTOR
2015
CHAMBER
TEAM MEMBERS
UPCOMING
CHAMBER EVENTS C H A M B E R L U N C H E O N – U F V 2 0 2 5 I N I T I AT I V E DATE: Wednesday, September 23 LOCATION: Garden Park Tower TIME:
Allan Asaph
La Vonne Bandsma
allan@abbotsfordchamber.com
Lavonne@ abbotsfordchamber.com
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OFFICE MANAGER
11:30am-1:30pm
A L L C A N D I D AT E S M E E T I N G - A B B O T S F O R D R I D I N G DATE: Thursday, September 24 LOCATION: Matsqui Centennial Auditorium TIME:
7:00pm-9:30pm
A L L C A N D I D AT E S M E E T I N G M I S S I O N M AT S Q U I F R A S E R C A N YO N DATE: Thursday, October 1 Carole Jorgensen
EVENT COORDINATOR
Carole@ abbotsfordchamber.com
Duncan D’Mello
MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT REP.
Duncan@ abbotsfordchamber.com
LOCATION: Creekside Centre TIME:
7:00pm-9:30pm
• Studio Tours • Supplies • Classes
30273 Canary Court • 604-615-6902 ellen@glasshive.ca • www.glasshive.ca
Abbotsford News
Friday, September 18, 2015
myBusiness E N G AG I N G C O N S U M E R S • B U I L D I N G C O M M U N I T Y
Plastic Works Adding Value to Plastics
abbotsfordchamber.com
Friendly Staff and Service for your plastic needs!
New BC Societies Act: Webinar announcement In May 2015, the new BC Societies Act was passed into law, with the accompanying regulations expected to be released this fall. This change will impact 27,000 non-profit societies in British Columbia. Half of these represent all of BC’s charitable organizations, and the other half are all of BC’s non-profit societies. The BC Centre for Social Enterprise is offering online webinars to assist these groups to navigate the changes. There are two dates to choose from: November 7th at 10:00am, and November 10th at 1:30pm. The sessions are offered at $50 +GST. Organizations are invited to visit the Centre’s webpage for more information, and to register. www.centreforsocialenterprise. com/bc-societies-act/ The Centre’s Director, Stacey Corriveau, said, “If organizations are filing annual reports with Victoria as a BC Society, then they will be impacted. What few groups recognize is that they need to take active steps to transition. This will tend to include amendments to their constitution, and in many cases, their bylaws as well. We are so fortunate to have charity lawyer Richard Bridge share his knowledge of the changes
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and new requirements with these groups.” The non-profit societies will need to file their documentation online with the BC Ministry of Finance, which serves as the registrar of these groups in the province. Within the anticipated regulations will be a ‘coming into force date’. Groups will be required to actively transition to the new Act within two years of this date, with most elements of the new Act applying on the coming into force date. Lawyer and webinar presenter Richard Bridge observes, “The old Act is reasonably good, but the new Act fills holes and provides comprehensive and well-drafted guidance on all significant governance issues and requirements. It will be an essential resource for all directors and senior staff.” The 90-minute webinar will cover highlights of the new Act, advice for identification of specific areas that could affect the participant’s organization, and items needed to move through the transition process. Takeaway informational handouts and a transition checklist will help keep groups organized.
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TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS! Selling, buying or leasing a vehicle? We know you are busy, so let the experts help find what you are looking for.
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