ATLANTIC CANADA Continued from page 24 “Industry has worked hard to keep pace with chang- ing demands,” Sparks said. “Recruitment plans will need to be continually adjusted and tailored for each trade and occupation, to counter worker mobility and rising retirements.” YOUNG RECRUITS KEY TO BUILDING NOVA SCOTIA'S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY With well over 6,000 workers retiring over the next decade, Nova Scotia’s construction industry will need to step up efforts to attract more young people, with modest employment growth at the same time as the industry faces an increase in retirements and out-of- province resource projects, BuildForce Canada reports. “Up to 25 per cent of the workforce will be retiring over the next decade, creating a real need for young, skilled workers,” says Sparks. “There is a lot of oppor- tunity in construction, making it a great career choice for young people.” • Employment opportunities will shift to industrial and utility projects, with commercial, industrial and utility construction supporting current levels of em- ployment. Modest job growth and equal gains and losses will balance activity in most years to 2023. • Employment remains unchanged in the residential sector, as a gain in residential renovation balances a moderate downturn in new housing. • Nova Scotia’s older than average workforce adds to the pace of retirement, with just over 6,600 work- ers retiring over the next 10 years across all 33 trades and occupations tracked. “Projects in other provinces and industries, such as shipbuilding, also create skilled labour challenges for the construction industry,” added Sparks. “This is the new reality that makes recruiting, training and retaining a skilled construction workforce more important than ever.” Atlantic Canada Construction News Briefs PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND Prince Edward Island plans road and bridge projects tary School officially opened Feb. 25 in Rothesay. The renovation included upgrades to its architectural, mechanical and electrical systems; as well as a wheelchair lift and site improvements to improve accessibility. The school was also enlarged through the construction of a 1,545 sq. m. addition that features new classrooms, resource and administra- tion spaces, and a gymnasium/ancil- lary space. The school now accommodates about 200 students. 26 – Spring 2014 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report Communities across Prince Ed- ward Island will benefit from road and bridge improvements that will be made during the coming construction season, according to Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Robert Vessey. “When we make strategic invest- ments in our transportation network it carries multiple benefits for Is- landers,” Vessey said. “It makes our roads safer and more efficient, cre- ates jobs and builds our economy, and improves the quality of life in our local communities.” The second round of tenders for the 2014 construction season was re- leased March 5. Tenders for the latest round of projects were to be accepted until 2 p.m. on March 27. To learn more about tendering opportunities, visit www.gov.pe.ca/tenders. Seniors living centre under construction in Charlottetown Construction is underway on a 40- unit, wheelchair-accessible seniors living centre in Charlottetown. It’s an apartment building that is focused on seniors but is not a com- munity care facility. The City of Char- lottetown issued a permit to the McInnis Group (1993) Inc. for the proj- ect, which has a lot of seniors’ prop- erties, several of them in Summerside. The building is expected to be ready for occupancy by late fall.