Winnipeg – Robust construction activity across all sectors has pushed employment of the skilled trades’ workforce to record levels according to the Construction Sector Council’s latest forecast.
“Never in the history of the province have we seen so many current and planned projects,” said John Schubert, President of the Winnipeg Construction Association. “Our construction workforce is stretched and attracting more young people, women and Aboriginals into construction trades is a must to keep up.”
The information is contained in the Construction Sector Council’s (CSC) fourth annual edition of “Construction Looking Forward,” a detailed forecast of labour market trends from 2008 to 2016 in Manitoba.
Manitoba’s construction industry employs almost 22,000 workers. As many as 6,000 new workers are required to keep pace with new projects. Another 4,500 workers are needed to replace retiring baby boomers between now and 2016.
“We need to recruit and train workers in every sector,” said David Martin, Executive Director of the Manitoba Building and Construction Trades Council. “The challenge now is to make sure apprenticeship and other training programs meet the demand for skilled workers. Many colleges are rising to the challenge with more innovate methods to deliver skills training.”
The report shows an unprecedented number of new construction projects including the Trans Canada and Enbridge pipelines, the Manitoba Floodway and new wind, ethanol, and hydroelectric power plants. In addition, there are a number of infrastructure projects scheduled for development including the Winnipeg water treatment plant and highway construction throughout the province.
“This is great news for Manitoba,” said Mike Moore, President of the Manitoba Home Builders’ Association. “Our residential construction industry continues to grow at an unprecedented rate and employment opportunities are tremendous”.
As one of the largest industries in Canada, construction employs more than a million Canadians. National employment across the entire construction industry has risen by a record 39% over the past five years.
The Construction Sector Council is a national organization committed to developing a highly skilled workforce – one that will support the future needs of the construction industry in Canada. Created in April of 2001, and financed by both government and industry, the CSC is a partnership between labour and business.
The CSC’s “Construction Looking Forward” national and regional forecasts provide colleges, labour and industry with accurate information on labour supply and demand to support the future needs of the construction industry in Canada.
For a copy of the Manitoba labour market forecast visit our website: www.csc-ca.org
For Further Information Contact:
David Martin
Executive Director
Manitoba Building and Construction Trades Council
(204) 782-3832
Rosemary Sparks
Construction Sector Council
(905) 852-9186