Invest Vancouver has completed its Invest Talent pilot project, an employer-led workforce initiative that outperformed its training and industry engagement targets while strengthening the region’s talent pipeline.
Funded by Future Skills Centre, the pilot was designed to respond directly to employer demand in sectors critical to Metro Vancouver’s economic growth.
The program trained 136 learners, exceeding its original goal by 113 per cent, and engaged more than 80 regional employers, surpassing its employer target by 133 per cent. It also established specialized medical technology and cybersecurity talent hubs to support high-demand industries.
Equity outcomes were another standout result: 87 per cent of learners were identified as part of equity-deserving groups, well above the program’s 50 per cent target.
“These results show what is possible when workforce development is driven by real employer needs and aligned with economic development priorities,” said Mike Hurley, Chair of the Metro Vancouver Boards.
Invest Vancouver says the initiative is on track to place 80 learners into production technician roles in the region’s medtech sector, representing an estimated $14.4 million in salary value over the next three years.
The pilot tested a repeatable, employer-led workforce development model that aligns training providers, companies, and community organizations around real hiring needs — an approach aimed at improving the region’s long-term investment readiness.
“The pilot reinforces that economic development and workforce development are deeply connected,” said Linda Buchanan, Chair of the Invest Vancouver Management Board. “By investing in people and building systems that respond to industry needs, we are supporting long-term growth and resilience across the region.”
Jacquie Griffiths, President of Invest Vancouver, added that starting with employer demand helped reduce friction between available talent and hard-to-fill roles.
Invest Vancouver will continue working with employers, post-secondary institutions, and workforce partners to strengthen Metro Vancouver’s talent pipeline and attract foreign direct investment.
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