Case study: Empowering a local workforce in Port Alberni through a circular economy

Background

In Port Alberni, BC, the closure of the largest forestry mills—long-standing anchors of employment and economic activity—has had deep and far-reaching impacts on workers, families and the broader community. In addition, Port Alberni’s workforce faces pressures of lower-than-average labour force participation, with relevant factors including:  

• An aging workforce (median age of 50), 
• Lower educational attainment (only 11 percent of the population holds a bachelor’s degree compared to 29 percent provincially), 
• Lower medium income, and;
• Structural barriers to participation such as access to transportation and child care.

The circular economy, which represents a $6.1 trillion opportunity to Canada by 2030, is one potential source of new jobs for these underemployed workers.

The challenge

Port Alberni’s workforce has deep expertise in mechanical repair, equipment operation, fabrication, logistics and natural resource management—skills that can directly transfer into a circular economy. Yet, as mill closures reshaped the local labour market, many workers were left without clear pathways to apply this experience in new and sustainable industries. The affected workforce, both directly and indirectly affected by the mill curtailments, need training and upskilling to meet the needs of the current and future local labour market and be able to create new innovative economic opportunities in a shifting local economy. Synergy Foundation wanted to find solutions to help this transfer happen.

The challenge was not a lack of skills or motivation, but the absence of inclusive, community based pathways to help workers transition into sustainable, future focused roles. The urgency to diversify the local economy alongside longstanding structural barriers – including access to transportation, childcare, affordable housing, and limited access to post-secondary education - highlighted the need for short-term, place-based funded training and paid training with supports that could connect displaced workers to immediate job opportunities while supporting a more resilient, future-oriented workforce. 

Green Building Foundations, Manufacturing and IT Course, March 2026.

The approach

With funding from the Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative, Synergy Foundation undertook a project to assess Port Alberni’s evolving workforce and explore emerging circular economy sectors.

The project draws on key contributor engagement from:

• Local employers and business owners,
• First Nations and Indigenous-led organizations,
• Post-secondary institutions and training providers,
• Workforce development and employment service organizations,
• Sector specialists and industry associations, and;
• Municipal and regional economic development and sustainability representatives.

Components include:

1. Labour market study and workforce development plan
Shaped by the voices of local key contributors, this concrete action plan names leads and partners, defines success and sets timelines, budgets and funding opportunities.

2. Funded training and work placements
Four community-tailored circular economy skills training programs offered by local providers (North Island College and Coastal Restoration Society) focus on hands-on learning, with wraparound participant supports. 

“The training has been really positive. We’ve gained hands-on experience, earned new certifications, and built confidence along the way. It feels good to invest in myself and be part of work that supports a circular economy in our community.”
-    Green Building Fundamentals: Manufacturing & IT Training Participant, April 2026

The results

The development plan created through this project is a phased 10-year strategy to build a circular economy workforce that will transform Port Alberni into a hub for green building, marine innovation, environmental restoration and regenerative tourism.

Project results include:

• Identified four priority training pathways aligned with strong local demand, particularly in construction and sustainability‑related projects:
  • Green building fundamentals: deconstruction and salvage,
  • Green building fundamentals: manufacturing and IT,
  • Maritime industry and environmental restoration and remediation, and 
    Tourism operator sustainability.
• Established a steering committee to guide program design and ensure community ownership.
• Designed training programs that are short‑term, practical and directly connected to employment opportunities.
• Prioritized Indigenous partnerships and knowledge to support culturally relevant and inclusive workforce development.

Anticipated outcomes during the 2026 training courses include:

• 48 individuals trained
• 15 individuals placed into new jobs

“When we invest in community-based initiatives, we invest in people. By supporting workers and employers through times of transition, we strengthen local resilience and empower communities to create solutions for the future. Projects like this, which prioritize green innovation and local capacity, help future-proof our communities while advancing our collective environmental goals.” Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario

Lessons learned

Some recommendations for similar projects include:

• Partner with local businesses with direct opportunities for employment.
• Work with businesses to understand skills needed to train future workforce.
• Provide financial incentives and supports for trainee participation and retention.
• In-person engagement is essential; more than 60 people attended one session. 
• Put together a steering committee that represents the broader community to ensure outcomes reflect community priorities.

Contact
Tai Uhlamann, Senior Project Manager
Synergy Foundation
[email protected] 

Related resources

• Case study: A framework for advancing circular economy
• Case study: Recycling waste powers circular economy jobs in British Columbia
• Circular Hubs Best Practices report
• Market studies reports:
  • Cowichan Valley Circular Economy Regional Market Assessment
  • Alberni-Clayoquot Circular Economy Regional Market Assessment
  • qathet Circular Economy Regional Market Assessment
• Inter-regional Synthesis report