ST JOHN'S, March 27, 2012 /CNW/ - The construction workforce in
Newfoundland and Labrador will swell over the next several years as
major resource projects get underway.
Major projects in electric utilities, mining and offshore oil will be
the key drivers of non-residential construction employment. Between
2012 and 2015, an estimated 2,200 new jobs will be created.
While the major industrial and engineering projects dominate the market,
the forecast includes a moderate and steady growth in the commercial
and institutional sectors across the scenario period. "Where these
sectors hire the same key trades as the major industry projects,
employers will face recruiting challenges and potential shortages over
the near term", says Rhonda Neary, President of the Newfoundland and
Labrador Construction Association.
The data is from the latest forecast of labour supply and demand
published by the Construction Sector Council (CSC): Construction Looking Forward, 2012 to 2020 Key Highlights for
Newfoundland and Labrador.
"Our challenge will be to find enough skilled workers given the increase
in construction activity and the large number of upcoming retirements,"
adds Neary.
According to the report, an estimated 4,200 workers or 28 percent of the
current workforce is expected to retire over the next decade.
"There will be plenty of job opportunities in the province," says David
Wade, Executive Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Building and
Construction Trades Council. "While employment demands for the current
list of major projects is expected to peak in 2015, there are several
large projects that are still under review, but not yet included in our
analysis because of uncertainty around proposed schedules. The addition
of these potential projects would alter the long-term market conditions
and increase labour demand requirements as they come on stream later in
the scenario."
Following a decade of strong growth, residential construction spending
and employment decline across the scenario period. The forecast shows
an estimated loss of more than 1,000 jobs between 2012 and 2020 in the
residential sector. "These losses will be partially offset by the
steady rise in renovation and maintenance work," says Victoria Belbin,
Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Home Builders' Association -
Newfoundland and Labrador.
Each year, the CSC releases nine-year scenario-based labour forecasts
following consultations with industry leaders, including owners,
contractors and labour groups, as well as governments and educational
institutions.
The national and regional reports will be available online at www.csc-ca.org this spring. Forecast data is also available at www.constructionforecasts.ca. The website allows for instant access to residential and
non-residential construction investment data, as well as details on the
supply and demand for more than 30 skilled trades and occupations over
the next nine years - all broken down by province and region.
The Construction Sector Council is a national industry-led organization
committed to the development of a highly skilled workforce that will
support the future needs of Canada's construction industry. It is
funded by the Government of Canada's Sector Council Program.
