VIEA - The Link Project

The Link Project

Linking Island Leaders

One of the most pressing priorities that has emerged on Vancouver Island is creating awareness of the role that regional collaboration plays in strategic economic development. This is a powerful tool that all participants will benefit from. Led by project manager, Wendy Maurer, this project aims to:

1. Promote awareness of the values and benefits of regional collaboration in support of economic development in the Vancouver Island Region through a series of presentations.
2. Conduct research on current economic development investment levels in the Vancouver Island Region.
3. Conduct research interviews with Vancouver Island leadership to determine common economic issues in communities throughout the Vancouver Island region.
4. Develop a strategic plan addressing common economic development issues on regional basis throughout the Vancouver Island region.
5. Plan and hold a Leadership Forum with the VIEA Board of Directors to share data collected from Island wide interviews.
6. Establish a strategic plan and economic development investment framework strategy for sustainable regional leadership.
7. Update the VIEA web portal.
8. Produce and distribute a final report for the VIEA membership which will outline project specific obstacles, outcomes and recommendations.

Qualicum Beach, BC - With support from the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Agreement through the Job Creation Project, The Vancouver Island Economic Alliance has launched a new program entitled, The Link Project - Linking Island Leadership. During the period of November 2, 2009 to October 29, 2010, The Link Project will provide a minimum of four (4) unemployed EI eligible participants with 50 weeks of work experience and skill enhancement in the areas of presentation and interview skills, research and development, marketing and communications, basic computer skills, administration, website development, report writing and community networking throughout the Vancouver Island region in order to maintain and enhance their skills to secure ongoing employment.

This project is just the latest example of how VIEA is helping to build a stronger Vancouver Island economy. Collaboration and the coordinated pooling of resources remain the cornerstones of our success.

Since 2007, corporate and community partners from across the Island have invested almost $115,000 into VIEA memberships to support our collaborative approach to regional economic development. VIEA is proud to have leveraged our membership investments more than 10 times over to deliver nearly $1.5 million in services and initiatives across the Island.

Our Regional Economic Analysis, labour market research and annual State of the Island Summit are just a few examples of how VIEA is creating tangible outcomes for the Island's business leadership.

For more information contact Vancouver Island Economic Alliance office at (250)594-2010

Meet the Link Advisory Board: Click Here: Link Advisory Board

Funded in whole or part through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement.