Introduction

In the opinion of many visitors to Prince George, the city is definitely one of Canada's best-kept secrets. A bustling city of over 80,000, Prince George is situated at the crossroads of Highway 97 (north-south) and Highway 16 (east-west), and at the confluence of the Fraser and Nechako Rivers.

The area offers a lifestyle that is definitely worth boasting about. Residents enjoy affordable housing, incomes above provincial averages, and an extensive range of quality services, cultural and sports events. Recreation opportunities are second to none and range from golfing, skiing, fishing and hunting to any team sport you can think of. Local educational facilities include the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) and the College of New Caledonia (CNC).

Prince George offers what we are all looking for today - great career opportunities and real quality of life.

Knowing that we have much to offer to those professionals who would enjoy the lifestyle we have in our region, the Living and Working Committee was formed to take on the task of assisting local employers in recruiting and retaining high quality individuals. One of the ways we can achieve this is to make professionals in other parts of the province and Canada aware of the great career opportunities the future holds for them in Prince George. According to the Northern Medical Society, at least 10 more doctors are required to satisfy the demand. In the next 10 years, a substantial number of Prince George's nurses will be eligible to retire, creating opportunities for new nursing staff to fill positions in the newly expanded regional hospital facilities. Currently, there are not enough nurses to replace them. School District 57 estimates that by 2005, a number of their teaching force will be eligible to retire as well. Around the same time, large proportion of their administrative staff will also be eligible to retire.

The shortage of professionals is certainly not unique to the Prince George region however; we believe that we have many advantages that enhance our success in recruiting and retaining new people. Our success is important to all residents of our region. It means new community development, creation and expansion of economic opportunities in non-resource sectors and the ability to not only maintain a healthy economy but diversify it. Our ultimate goal is to secure a strong vibrant health care system and a vibrant professional infrastructure in which the Prince George region can prosper.

Program's Principal Objectives

• To enhance and promote a positive image of the Prince George region

• To actively recruit or assist in the recruitment of professionals and involve the community in recruitment and retention program

• To identify industry sectors that are currently involved in recruiting professionals and work together with them

• To be the community's voice for making northern issues a priority and to be a clearing house of information for the community where recruitment and retention issues are concerned

• To assist in the development and promotion of education initiatives that address the shortage of professionals in their fields

• To assist in retaining those professionals through community programs

• To generate economic opportunities and economic diversification through networking with businesses and professionals in non-resource based economic sectors

• To enhance community health and stability by attracting and retaining professionals and their families

• To have a positive, lasting effect on the local economy by retaining professionals, businesses and diverse industry sectors