Major new projects to drive construction job growth in Manitoba
By Staff Report
Construction Skills DevelopmentHydro projects planned in Manitoba’s North will jump-start construction job growth and demand for specialized trades, according to BuildForce Canada.
The 2014-2023 Construction and Maintenance Looking Forward forecast released today by BuildForce Canada shows a pattern of steady growth in residential and non-residential construction over the next 10 years. A pause in job growth this year and next eases recruitment challenges, with one noted exception. A new round of scheduled hydro projects in the North adds to construction employment growth over the next decade. Hiring will peak for a large number of specialized trades in 2016, and in 2020 and 2022.
“A select group of skilled trades will be in high demand for major hydro projects,” said Rosemary Sparks, executive director of BuildForce Canada. “Industry will need to keep its focus on skills training, recruitment and mobility to meet project requirements.”
BuildForce Canada’s forecast also shows:
• Road, highway and bridge construction declines marginally between now and 2015, but is expected to remain above historical activity levels for the remainder of the scenario period.
• Housing activity is now leveling off. New housing starts and renovation work results in moderate growth and job opportunities in residential construction.
• As many as 7,300 skilled workers, or approximately 21 per cent of the workforce, will retire over the next decade, with this number only partially offset by young workers starting their careers.
“Replacing the skills and experience of thousands of retiring workers takes major planning,” added Sparks. “The key is convincing workers to come back to this province and encouraging far more young people to sign up for skilled trades careers.”
SOURCE BuildForce Canada
