WINNIPEG – The boom in all sectors of Manitoba’s construction industry is expected to last for several more years, according to a new forecast released today by the Construction Sector Council (CSC) and its partners.
According to Construction Looking Forward – Labour Requirements from 2006 to 2014 for Manitoba, the construction industry will continue to create jobs and boost the province’s economy right up until 2014, though looming retirements will present a challenge when it comes to replacing some skilled trades.
“By providing details about what trades will be needed where and when, the forecast is just the tool we need to meet that challenge,” says David Martin, Executive Director, Manitoba Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council,
The report notes that more than 18% of the province’s construction workforce, or 4,000 workers, will be needed to replace retirees. Another 2,500 workers will be needed to meet new demand over the forecast period.
“Recruitment and training will be a key priority, especially for certain trades in industrial and engineering building that are in high demand across the country in the short term,” adds Mr. Martin.
The CSC has been working with all sectors of the construction industry over the past year to develop Construction Looking Forward reports for each province. They are being released across the country this month.
Manitoba differs from other provinces in that building continues in all sectors throughout the forecast period, whereas most provinces see a downturn in some sectors after 2009.
“The Manitoba economy is in good shape and a major source of growth is construction investment,” adds Peter Wightman, Executive Director, Construction Labour Relations Association of Manitoba. “By working together and with the help of this forecast we can keep it that way.” Quoting from the report, he points out that “from 2006 to 2009, there is exceptional expansion, with no equivalent in other provinces.”
“We are pleased to learn that the industry is committed to recruiting drives that target youth and new workforce entrants. I applaud the Construction Sector Council and its partners in working together to provide a comprehensive report that not only offers foresight but is focused on recruitment and training in Manitoba,” said Barry Rempel, President and CEO of Winnipeg Airports Authority Inc.
The Construction Sector Council was established in 2001, as an independent labour/business partnership to address the workforce needs of the construction industry. The CSC is a neutral forum that brings together stakeholders to provide data that industry can use to make critical planning decisions. CSC provides this data to industry who undertake their own analysis.
Construction Looking Forward reports are produced annually by the CSC for all provinces. They are available electronically at www.csc-ca.org.
Funding for this project was provided by the Government of Canada’s Sector Council Program.
MORE INFORMATION:
David Martin
Executive Director
Manitoba Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council
(204) 956-7425
david@mbctc.mb.ca
Peter Wightman
Executive Director
Construction Labour Relations Association of Manitoba
(204) 775-0441
clram@mb.sympatico.ca
Rosemary Sparks
Director of Operations
Construction Sector Council
(905) 852-9186
sparks@csc-ca.org