Port development stimulates jobs

South African politicians and
policy makers could take a
leaf out of the plans of their
Canadian counterparts.
A study just published by
the Asia Pacific Gateway
Skills Table predicts that
investment to transform
Prince Rupert and Port
Edward in British Columbia
on Canada’s west coast is
leading to a skills shortage.
Workers are being attracted
away from the light industrial,
retail and hospitality sectors to
higher-paying jobs in the port
and related logistics sectors.
This is opening up
empowerment opportunities
for the indigenous population
or “First Nations,” as well as
other marginalised groups.
“Developing employerdriven
solutions to break
down existing barriers to
get more people in the local
labour force is needed to
increase participation of local
First Nations, women and the
local part-time workforce,”
says Krista Bax, executive
director, Asia Pacific
Gateway Skills Table.
Investments in the area are
driven by a vision to transform
Prince Rupert into “a leading
North American trade
gateway,” according to Don
Krusel, president and CEO of
the Port of Prince Rupert.
Capacity in the container
terminal is being increased
from 500 000 to two million
TEUs a year, logistics parks
have been created, rail
infrastructure upgraded and
the liquid natural
gas terminals built.