?aq’am Community Enterprises (ACE) is the economic development arm of the ?aq’am First Nation, the largest member of Ktunaxa Nation. Known for its progressive business development goals, ACE undertook a comprehensive review of its strategic priorities. The result is a dynamic new five-year strategic plan that will guide more efficient, tactical, and resilient delivery of ACE’s programs and services. The project was supported by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC).
Thompson-Okanagan Team Takes to the World Stage to Address Workforce Shortages
To address the lack of skilled workers in the Thompson-Okanagan, three of the region’s key economic development groups came together as a delegation to Emigration Expo 2023 in Houten, Netherlands. Their mission was two-fold: to showcase the Thompson-Okanagan as a desirable place to find work in Canada, and to give employers a helping hand with international recruitment.
The Regional Workforce Development project is a collaborative initiative between Venture Kamloops, the Salmon Arm Economic Development Society (SAEDS), and the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC). The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) supported the project through its Building Economic Development Capacity funding stream.
“Our employers need to be competitive and use new methods and talent pools to find the people they need to grow,” explains Nicole Bruce, Economic Development Manager for Venture Kamloops. “International recruitment is a key tool for Canadian companies to fill skilled talent roles.”
Approximately 12,000 visitors attend the Houten expo every year seeking information on living, working, studying and entrepreneurship opportunities in other countries. Data shows that for those who successfully emigrate to Canada, the majority stay in major metropolitan cities. Marketing the entire Thompson-Okanagan region at the expo connected these workers with communities and employers they may not have explored otherwise.”
Seamless Navigation of immigration Programs
“We spoke to approx. 800 people and administered brochures, QR codes and provided a Thompson Okanagan presentation to over 100 people, says Bruce. “The challenge to know how far reaching this information goes in helping people make decision like a visit, finding jobs in our region and then relocating is difficult to measure. Often, they will connect directly with employers through job postings attached to the QR code we administer, and we will never know about it.”
“Our regional delegation had far more impact than one community alone could have at an event of this scope,” says Bruce. The team shared a sizeable booth near others staffed by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP). The delegation included Nicole Kleemaier of Red Moose Immigration Services who provided translation, planning, and on-site support to the team.
“Many employers lack the time and understanding to navigate the immigration programs that best fit their needs,” says Bruce. “Being close to the BCPNP and IRCC meant job seekers could talk with us about the region and jobs, then step over to the other booths for information on how to go about the immigration process.”
When the delegation returned to Canada, the Thompson-Okanagan webpage created specifically for the show received 272 visits with 40 serious prospects uploading their information. Eight prospects eventually spoke to employers, and two travelled to Kamloops to interview and see the region. These are just some examples of the outcomes of this collaboration.
Bruce added, “We do know our efforts are paying off because a couple who visited our booth at the emigration expo followed up with a trip to the region and recently, we helped them find employment. Now they are moving to Kamloops with job offers from employers in their field of expertise! They have actively applied through the proper immigration pathway to move to Kamloops permanently and are expected to arrive in the early summer.”
Team Approach to Future Emigration Fairs
Venture Kamloops continues to work with the SAEDS, COEDC and the BCPNP on attending future expos as a group. The Vernon Economic Development Association has now also joined the collaboration. A 2024-25 work strategy is in development with a more sector-specific approach to recruitment and additional marketing materials are being created. “No matter which cities participate with us, we can represent the region as a whole,” says Bruce.
“Talent attraction is a long game,” she adds. “With the support of ETSI-BC, we now have a model to keep the Thompson-Okanagan top of mind with skilled workers wanting to settle in Canada.”
More News & Stories
Thompson-Okanagan Launches New Economic Development Practitioners Network
After a year of work connecting economic development practitioners across the Thompson-Okanagan, the region’s first Economic Development Practitioners Network (EDPN) is now in place. Modelled after the Kootenay Boundary EDPN created in 2014, the Thompson Okanagan EDPN includes community and municipal and First Nations economic development practitioners, Chambers of Commerce, Community Futures and other stakeholders. The group came together for the first time on April 8, 2026, where they learned, shared ideas and information, and further planned future activities. The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) is committed to supporting both the Kootenay Boundary and Thompson-Okanagan networks of economic development practitioners.
2027-30 Strategic Planning and DAAP 4.39 Updates
June 25, 2026 – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) is grateful for the input from partners, funding recipients, committee members and other regional stakeholders who have taken the time to help inform our next three-year Strategic Plan for 2027-30. We are also pleased to provide an update on the status of the DAAP 4.39 action item.
ETSI-BC Fall 2026 Funding Intake: Up to $1M Available for Projects
June 18, 2026 – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) is pleased to announce that its next Funding Intake will launch on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 and close on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
ETSI-BC Spring Funding Intake Invests Over $1 Million to Strengthen the Southern Interior Economy
June 8, 2026 – Communities across British Columbia’s Southern Interior are set to benefit from a new round of investment through the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior. On June 5, 2026, ETSI-BC approved $1,011,000 in funding for 33 projects, representing a combined project value of $3 million. The funded initiatives will help communities diversify their local economies, support innovation, and respond to regional opportunities
Helping Shape the Future of ETSI-BC Support in the Southern Interior
May 11, 2026 – ETSI-BC is inviting partners from across the Southern Interior to participate in a series of virtual focus groups as part of an Impact Assessment that will inform its next three-year Strategic Plan, covering the period from April 1, 2027 to March 31, 2030.
Similkameen Economic Vitality Plan Drives Growth and Resilience
Keremeos, one of the fastest growing rural communities in British Columbia, has evolved from its agricultural heritage to a business hub at the heart of the Similkameen region with a robust tourist sector and vast potential to develop new business opportunities. In 2024, the Similkameen Country Development Association initiated a comprehensive Economic Vitality Initiative to better address the pressing needs of local businesses. Collaboration by many stakeholders along with funding support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) drove the plan to completion, and the strategies it contains are now being implemented.
Ktunaxa Business Showcase Links Indigenous Businesses to Procurement Opportunities
The Ktunaxa Business Showcase, led by the Ktunaxa Nation Council (KNC), is expanding, improving and helping members secure new business contracts in southeastern BC. The success of the most recent 2025 Showcase event reflects strategic changes to the program’s timeline and format, and was supported by funding from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC).
Strong Demand for ETSI-BC Spring Funding Intake
April 15, 2026 – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) closed its 2026 Spring Funding Intake, with a strong response from communities and organizations across the region. The intake closed on April 9, 2026, with 48 applications requesting nearly $1.7 million in funding, representing a combined project value of almost $4 million.
2026 ETSI-BC Legislative Review
March 30, 2026 – We are pleased to present the findings and recommendations of the 2026 ETSI-BC Legislative Review Committee. The Committee reviewed the Act that governs ETSI-BC and the proposed changes that the Province has put forward this year. A Legislative Review is conducted every 5 years by an independent committee. This year in particular, their report has several important recommendations of relevance to First Nations and local governments in the Southern Interior, and to the Province.