Strong employment opportunities for construction workers in Newfoundland and Labrador | BuildForce Canada

Strong employment opportunities for construction workers in Newfoundland and Labrador


ST JOHN’S, NFLD – The construction workforce in Newfoundland and Labrador will swell over the next several years as major resource projects get underway.

Major projects in electric utilities, mining and offshore oil will be the key drivers of non-residential construction employment. Between 2012 and 2015, an estimated 2,200 new jobs will be created.

While the major industrial and engineering projects dominate the market, the forecast includes a moderate and steady growth in the commercial and institutional sectors across the scenario period. “Where these sectors hire the same key trades as the major industry projects, employers will face recruiting challenges and potential shortages over the near term”, says Rhonda Neary, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association.

The data is from the latest forecast of labour supply and demand published by the Construction Sector Council (CSC): Construction Looking Forward, 2012 to 2020 Key Highlights for Newfoundland and Labrador.

“Our challenge will be to find enough skilled workers given the increase in construction activity and the large number of upcoming retirements,” adds Neary.

According to the report, an estimated 4,200 workers or 28 percent of the current workforce is expected to retire over the next decade.

“There will be plenty of job opportunities in the province,” says David Wade, Executive Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Building and Construction Trades Council. “While employment demands for the current list of major projects is expected to peak in 2015, there are several large projects that are still under review, but not yet included in our analysis because of uncertainty around proposed schedules. The addition of these potential projects would alter the long-term market conditions and increase labour demand requirements as they come on stream later in the scenario.”

Following a decade of strong growth, residential construction spending and employment growth slows across the scenario period. The forecast shows some job losses in the later part of the scenario. “The residential construction industry is a combination of new home starts and renovation of existing homes. So the losses that may be experienced in the new home starts in this forecast scenario will be offset by renovation and maintenance work. Overall, residential construction in Newfoundland and Labrador will continue to be a strong contributor to the local economy,” says Victoria Belbin, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Newfoundland and Labrador.

Each year, the CSC releases nine-year scenario-based labour forecasts following consultations with industry leaders, including owners, contractors and labour groups, as well as governments and educational institutions.

The national and regional reports will be available online at www.csc-ca.org this spring. Forecast data is also available at www.constructionforecasts.ca. The website allows for instant access to residential and non-residential construction investment data, as well as details on the supply and demand for more than 30 skilled trades and occupations over the next nine years – all broken down by province and region.

The Construction Sector Council is a national industry-led organization committed to the development of a highly skilled workforce that will support the future needs of Canada’s construction industry. It is funded by the Government of Canada’s Sector Council Program.

MORE INFORMATION:

Rhonda Neary
Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association
(709) 699-5177

Rosemary Sparks
Construction Sector Council
(905) 852-9186