June 28, 2006

Skilled Labour

Manitoba joins race to find skilled workers

Construction creating jobs, boosting province’s economy

WINNIPEG

The boom in all sectors of Manitoba’s construction industry is expected to last for several more years, according to the Construction Sector Council (CSC) and its partners.

The construction industry will continue to create jobs and boost the province’s economy right up until 2014, though looming retirements will present a challenge when it comes to replacing some skilled trades.

“Recruitment and training will be a key priority, especially for certain trades in industrial and engineering building that are in high demand across the country in the short term,” said David Martin, Executive Director, Manitoba Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council.

The report notes that more than 18 per cent of the province’s construction workforce, or 4,000 workers, will be needed to replace retirees.

Another 2,500 workers will be needed to meet new demand over the forecast period.

Manitoba differs from other provinces in that building continues in all sectors throughout the forecast period, whereas most provinces see a downturn in some sectors after 2009.

“The Manitoba economy is in good shape and a major source of growth is construction investment,” adds Peter Wightman, executive director, Construction Labour Relations Association of Manitoba.

“By working together and with the help of this forecast, we can keep it that way.”

Quoting from the report, he points out that “from 2006 to 2009, there is exceptional expansion, with no equivalent in other provinces.”

“We are pleased to learn that the industry is committed to recruiting drives that target youth and new workforce entrants,” said Barry Rempel, president and CEO of Winnipeg Airports Authority Inc.

Construction Looking Forward reports are produced annually by the CSC for all provinces.

They are available electronically at www.csc-ca.org.

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