ATLANTIC CANADA “The challenge is convincing skilled workers to stay and others to come back when projects at home ramp up,” added Sparks. “That’s why now is the time to focus on recruitment, training and retaining a skilled labour force.” PEI'S LOCAL CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY MUST CONVINCE SKILLED WORKERS TO STAY Keeping skilled workers at home will be a major pri- ority for Prince Edward Island’s construction industry to help counter rising retirement rates, as retirement losses cannot be entirely offset by young people enter- ing the workforce for the first time, BuildForce Canada reports. “With as many as 1,500 workers retiring over the next 10 years, attracting, training and retaining a skilled workforce is more important than ever for the local con- struction industry,” Sparks said. “It will take real plan- ning to replace the rising number of retirees. BuildForce Canada’s forecast also shows: • Labour requirements will rise with new investment in industrial and utility projects, and commercial and institutional building, helping to reduce unem- ployment rates to below average levels in 2015 and 2016.While total employment by the end of the out- look period is virtually unchanged from 2013, with labour requirements met by the local workforce, this trend makes no allowance for workers finding jobs outside the province. • A brief downturn in residential activity in 2014 is fol- lowed by increased activity over the medium term and brings investment back to current levels. “The real challenge will be encouraging skilled work- ers to stay, and convincing others to return home when conditions improve in 2015,” added Sparks. “That’s when retirement pressures really set in and the province will need a larger skilled workforce to draw on.” 24 – Spring 2014 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report RETIREMENTS AND RESOURCE BOOM TEST NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR'S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY Labour requirements of large resource projects cou- pled with the retirement of almost 25 per cent of the province’s workforce over the next decade, create com- plex challenges for the construction industry, according to BuildForce Canada. The 2014–2023 forecast shows the main challenge is recruiting for several large and remote resource and infrastructure projects. Between 2007 and 2012, provin- cial employment grew by 70 per cent, or 6,000 workers, with the vast majority hired for resource projects. Con- struction employment reaches a record high in 2013 and 2014, before these projects wind down and many workers move on to jobs in other provinces. “That’s what the construction industry really has to prepare for,” Sparks said. “Some of these workers will need to stay for ongoing projects, capital and mainte- nance work, and to replace as many as 4,700 retirees over the next 10 years.” BuildForce Canada’s forecast also shows: • Housing starts increased by almost 75 per cent from 2006 to 2012, with residential employment rising by 35 per cent during this period. • Housing starts slow over the medium term and then remain at approximately 2,600 starts annually. Renovation work rises moderately, partially offset- ting the decline in new residential. The residential sector may face skilled labour challenges, driven by an aging workforce and the potential for workers to be drawn to major resource projects. • Commercial and institutional building is closely linked to the provincial economy with steady but moderate growth expected, while industrial and en- gineering construction rises and falls with invest- ments in mining, electricity generation and transmission and offshore oil projects. Continued on page 26