Job market | First Nations in Construction

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Will there be a job for me?

The construction industry has been booming nationwide for nearly a decade. Just look at the facts:

Employment growth in construction has exceeded all other industries in recent years.
Employment in construction reached a record high of more than one million workers in 2010.
One out of every 17 Canadian workers earns a living in construction.

Current economic conditions have slowed growth, but construction is expected to continue to outperform other industries. Governments’ fiscal stimulus is a key driver in 2011. As economic conditions improve, industry will see the return of private investment as postponed projects are resumed and new major construction projects are announced. As well, many workers are nearing retirement – so the odds are good that the demand for skilled construction workers will remain high.

The Construction Sector Council has created a province-by-province, trade-by-trade labour market forecast for the next nine years.

To find the job prospects for particular trades, visit the Pick a career section of this website and select the trade that interests you.

Below is a summary of the latest forecast by province.

Alberta

Construction employment in Alberta has picked up after slowing in 2009 and 2010 due to the recession. By 2014, employment will rise to levels beyond the historical peaks seen in the pre-recession years of 2006 and 2007. The province will need about 30,000 construction workers to replace those who are expected to retire over the 2011−2019 period, in addition to 16,000 new workers needed to accommodate the expected rise in construction activity later in the same period.

British Columbia

From 2000 to 2008, British Columbia led the country in construction employment. Since 2009, however, employment growth has leveled off as the province recovers from the recession. Moderate demand for trades working on industrial, infrastructure and institutional projects is expected to continue over the near term. The province will need at least 31,000 construction workers to replace those who are expected to retire over the 2011−2019 period, plus an additional 3,200 workers to meet the requirements attributable to the expected rise in construction activity over that same period.

Manitoba

Manitoba is in the midst of a resource-led expansion that has raised construction activity and employment to record levels. Growth is expected to continue throughout the 2011−2019 period. The province will need an estimated 6,400 construction workers to replace those who are expected to retire over this period, plus an additional 2,700 new workers to accommodate the expected rise in construction activity over the same period.

New Brunswick

Proposed major engineering and industrial projects in New Brunswick are expected to increase construction employment over the 2011−2019 period. The province will need 6,000 workers to replace those expected to retire over this period. This impact is cushioned by the loss of 2,200 workers due to decreased construction activity over the same period.

Newfoundland and Labrador

The province’s aging workforce will generate employment opportunities for construction trades in Newfoundland and Labrador. At a minimum, the province will need 4,000 workers to replace retiring workers over the 2011−2019 period, less 3,000 workers due to decreased construction activity over the same period.

Nova Scotia

Ongoing construction activity will keep the industry relatively steady in Nova Scotia. At a minimum, the province will need 6,300 workers to replace retiring workers while a loss of 1,300 workers due to decreased construction activity will occur over the 2011−2019 period.

Ontario

Construction in Ontario has been steadily growing for more than 10 years with employment for many trades at or near record levels in 2007. The pace of growth, however, slows over the near term with moderate year-to-year changes driven primarily by government-related infrastructure spending. An expansion across all sectors is expected later in the 2011−2019 period. Many baby boomers will retire over the next nine years, taking essential technical, supervisory and management skills with them. The province will need an estimated 73,000 workers to replace those retiring, plus an additional 84,000 workers to fill new employment opportunities related to new construction over the 2011−2019 period.

Prince Edward Island

In Prince Edward Island, more than 1,000 construction workers will be needed to replace those retiring over the 2011−2019 period.

Quebec

Construction activity in Quebec is strong, with major infrastructure and resource-based industrial and engineering projects driving demand. Between 2011 and 2019, Quebec will need 43,000 construction workers to replace retiring workers, plus an additional 10,600 workers to accommodate the expected rise in construction activity.

Saskatchewan

A surge in industrial and engineering construction activity in the province will increase construction employment to record levels over the near term. Saskatchewan will require more than 2,000 new workers in order to meet peak demand in 2012 and 2013, as well as 6,300 workers to replace retiring workers over the next decade.

Updated May 2011