Photo: Contributed

There are not enough workers in the North Okanagan, so efforts are underway to attract people to the area.

Vernon's Partners in Action is moving ahead with a number of initiatives to try to attract immigrants to the region to fill the void.

"We need a healthy immigration plan if the economy is to thrive," said Annette Sharkey, with the Social Planning Council, which administers Partners in Action.

Some businesses have vacant positions because employees are retiring, or there aren't enough workers with required training.

The primary focus of the immigration strategy is entrepreneurs and skilled professionals.

During Monday's Vernon city council meeting, Coun. Brian Quiring indicated his architectural firm has been impacted recently.

"There's a huge skills shortage, and we can't find staff," he said.

The Greater Vernon Chamber has been part of the process to attract workers and entrepreneurs to the community.

– with files from the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce