BC Manufacturing Resilience & Support Initiative

Manufacturers can engage qualified subject-matter experts (SMEs) to work directly with their teams to address specific productivity, workforce, supply chain, operational, or market access challenges and implement targeted improvement plans.

This one-on-one support model is designed to provide actionable guidance that delivers measurable outcomes for manufacturers.

SME interventions may support areas such as:

• Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement
• Operational efficiency and productivity improvement
• Workforce development and retention strategies
• Leadership and management development
• Supply chain optimization and sourcing strategies
• Advanced manufacturing and technology adoption
• Sustainability and green manufacturing initiatives
• Export readiness and market expansion planning
• Quality systems and process improvement
• Facility and production optimization

Supports may be delivered onsite, virtually, or through a hybrid approach depending on manufacturer needs and project scope.

Eligible manufacturers may receive reimbursements of up $0.50 on the dollar to support approved SME supports.

The Export Market Access Program (EMAP) will support BC manufacturers in identifying and accessing new buyers, markets, and partnerships across Canada, North America, and global regions while improving export readiness, trade diversification, and resilience to external shocks.

EMAP will provide manufacturers with practical tools, expert guidance, market intelligence, and business development support to help them identify and pursue new growth opportunities.

Program Activities May Include:

• Export readiness assessments
• Market diversification planning
• Export strategy development
• Trade and market intelligence workshops
• International market opportunity identification
• Export logistics and compliance training
• Buyer and partner matchmaking opportunities
• Participation in targeted trade events and missions
• Guidance on certifications, documentation, and regulatory requirements
• Marketing and promotional support for export development

The program is intended to support manufacturers seeking to:

• Expand into new Canadian or international markets
• Diversify beyond existing U.S. market dependence
• Build export capability and confidence
• Identify new buyers, distributors, and partners
• Improve competitiveness in global markets

Funding Support

Approved export-related activities may be eligible for cost-shared support through EMAP.

Eligible manufacturers may receive reimbursement support for approved activities such as:

• Trade show participation
• Booth and exhibit costs
• Marketing and promotional materials
• Translation services
• Export certification costs
• Market development activities

Eligible manufacturers may receive reimbursements of up $0.50 on the dollar to support EMAP activities.

EMAP workshops and activities are expected to begin in Summer 2026.

EMC will launch a provincial supply chain mapping and connection platform — Industry Connect — designed to help BC manufacturers identify local suppliers, manufacturing capabilities, supply chain gaps, and new business opportunities.

Platform Activities and Features May Include:

• Manufacturing capability mapping
• Supplier and sourcing identification
• Industry and sector connectivity
• Supply chain gap analysis
• Import replacement opportunity identification
• Regional manufacturing ecosystem insights
• Industry collaboration opportunities
• Working groups and sector engagement activities
• Market and capability data collection

The platform is intended to help manufacturers:

• Identify new local suppliers and partners
• Improve supply chain resilience
• Reduce sourcing risk and disruption exposure
• Discover new business and procurement opportunities
• Strengthen regional manufacturing collaboration
• Increase awareness of BC manufacturing capabilities

The platform will support a stronger, more interconnected manufacturing ecosystem through data-driven insights, collaboration, and industry engagement.

In-person and virtual learning workshops will help manufacturers adopt Lean, Green, and advanced manufacturing practices to improve productivity, reduce waste, increase operational efficiency, and strengthen sustainability performance.

Workshops will be delivered in both in-person and virtual formats to support participation across British Columbia.

Workshop Topics May Include:

• Lean manufacturing principles
• Continuous improvement strategies
• Operational efficiency improvement
• Waste reduction and process optimization
• Advanced manufacturing practices
• Automation and technology integration
• Green manufacturing and sustainability
• Energy efficiency and environmental performance
• Production planning and workflow optimization
• Artificial intelligence and manufacturing innovation

These workshops are intended to support manufacturers in:

• Improving operational performance
• Reducing production inefficiencies and waste
• Increasing competitiveness and profitability
• Strengthening sustainability performance
• Supporting modernization and innovation initiatives
• Building internal continuous improvement capability

In-person and virtual learning workshops will support workforce capability development, leadership growth, innovation, workplace culture, and inclusive workforce practices.

EMC’s Workforce & Management Capability Building workshops are designed to help manufacturers strengthen workforce capability, leadership effectiveness, workplace culture, and organizational resilience.

Workshop Topics May Include:

• Leadership and supervisory skills
• Workforce recruitment and retention
• Employee engagement and workplace culture
• Inclusive workforce practices
• Communication and team development
• Change management and organizational resilience
• Skills development and workforce planning
• Workplace innovation and collaboration
• Training and onboarding strategies
• Building employer-of-choice workplaces

Workshops will support manufacturers in:

• Developing stronger leadership teams
• Improving workforce engagement and retention
• Supporting employee growth and skills development
• Creating more inclusive and resilient workplaces
• Strengthening organizational performance and culture

EMC is committed to ensuring manufacturers of all sizes and sectors can access practical workforce and leadership development resources.