BuildForce Canada projects that more than 12,000 more tradespeople will be needed over the next 10 years to fill vacancies within the province’s booming construction industry.
The industry led organization which compiles labour market data and analysis for Canada’s construction industry, says that as many as 4,000 workers will be needed to fill new positions expected to be created as a result of the ongoing construction boom.
In addition, up to 8,200 others will be required to replace retiring baby boom era workers, it added.
“The local construction industry is benefiting from Manitoba’s more diverse economy. From power line work to homebuilding and renovation, there are opportunities for skilled tradespeople in construction,” says BuildForce executive director Rosemary Sparks.
“With more than 20 per cent of the construction workforce retiring this decade, employers can’t afford to ease up on recruitment,” Sparks added. “Hiring more young people remains an industry priority.”
In its 2016-2025 Construction and Maintenance Looking Forward forecast report, BuildForce says Manitoba’s 10- year construction expansion isn’t expected to peak until sometime in 2018.
“A gradual rise in commercial and industrial building construction and growing demand for maintenance work also creates new jobs in almost every year of the scenario,” the report says. It predicts up to 2,600 new jobs will be added over the next 10 years on the non-residential side of the industry, and up to 1,500 on the residential side over the next few years.
As well, home renovation and maintenance work are also expected to another 900 new positions over the forecast period, it adds.
