February 15, 2019 – Canada’s construction industry will need to fill more than 300,000 vacancies over the next decade, according to new research, as workers retire and demand increases.
The industry will need to look to immigration more than ever before to plug labour gaps caused by Canada’s aging population.
A Build Force Canada forecast estimates more than 260,000 will retire between now and 2028, with the current rate of recruitment only filling just over 220,000 of those positions.
The shortfall of 40,000 positions is expected to be doubled by increase in demand, leaving the industry short of 80,000 workers in 10 years.
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Like other industries in Canada, the tight construction labour market comes down to the country’s aging population and shrinking number of working age people.
Build Force estimates an average age of 42 in the construction industry by 2028, with more than a fifth of the current workforce retired.
Action is needed now to train industry newcomers to be able to replaced seasoned veterans, with reported dwindling interest in trades occupations among young people.
Build Force estimates Canadian residential builders will need to hire 135,900 new employees by 2028, with 164,300 newcomers needed for non-residential companies.
As under-represented groups in the industry, Build Force says attracting more women and indigenous people can make up some of the shortfall.
But immigration will also be an important source of new blood, with Canada’s federal government already planning to increase annual levels to 350,000 by 2021.
Immigrants already make up 18 per cent of the construction workforce, but employers need to be aware of changes in source countries of newcomers, Build Force says.
The shift to Asian countries as the major source of new Canadians means newcomers are less likely to go into construction.
Build Force says newcomers from countries such as the Philippines, India, China, Iran, and Syria are not naturally drawn into construction like the Europeans and North and South Americans who came before.
As a result, the industry needs to improve its recruitment efforts.
Immigration Options
At the federal level, construction workers can qualify for Canadian permanent residence through the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Applications for FSTP come through the Express Entry system, with draws conducted usually every two weeks.
Periodically, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada conducts Express Entry draws targeted specifically at Skilled Trades candidates.
Federal Skilled Trades Program Requirements
Eligibility under the Federal Skilled Trades Class is assessed on a pass or fail basis, with applicants required to fulfill the following four requirements:
- Have offers of employment from one or two Canadian employers for a duration of at least one year in an eligible skilled trade (NOC Skill level B), OR Hold certification of qualification for that trade from a Canadian provincial or territorial regulatory body;
- Provide evidence of sufficient language proficiency in one of Canada’s two official languages;
- Have 24 months of work experience in the last five years in the skilled trade, after trade qualification, where applicable;
- Be qualified to meet the requirements of the job offer(s) or trade in Canada, as defined by the NOC.
Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.
Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.
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