August 16, 2006

Construction workers can log on to new B.C. job listing site

WARREN FREY

staff writer

VANCOUVER

Three of British Columbia’s largest construction associations are coming together to create a new job listings website.

The site, www.bcconstructionjobstores.com, is a collaboration between the Independent Contractors and Business Association of B.C. (ICBA), The Canadian Homebuilders’ Association of BC (CHABC) and the BC Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association (BCRBHCA). All three organizations will list jobs on the site, launched last week.

“This is a one-stop shop for jobs in construction. Whether you’re interested in road-building, residential construction of industrial construction, there has never been a better time to consider a career in this booming industry. Construction is one of the highest paid sectors of the economy, and rewarding careers range from trades to office support,” ICBA president Phil Hochstein said.

“This covers the spectrum of construction, and it’ll become the monster.ca of construction jobs,” Hochstein added.

“There’s no ‘silver bullet’ to solve the labour shortage.”

Phil Hochstein, ICBA

The site is offered as a member benefit to industry partners, with employers posting job openings and requesting matches to qualified job seekers. Searches are region specific, and is free for registered job seekers, who can apply for jobs via email and learn about certification and training requirements in various fields.

Employers can post jobs, as well as request automatic notification of new job applicants and of matches to qualified job seekers.

“We are a booming industry in need of people. BC Construction JobStores will assist our Residential Construction Industry Training Organization (RCITO) trainees to connect with our members and it will give our members an edge in getting qualified employees with the right fit, in our diverse and exciting industry,” CHABC president M.J. Whitemarsh said.

Applicants can also go to www.constructionjobstores.com, and check out open shop construction opportunities from across Canada.

The site was a B.C. creation, Hochstein said, with Merit contractors in Alberta spreading the concept across Canada.

“This site makes it easy for our members to quickly find the right applicant and get that person out on the job site in short order. Most of our members are busy at work sites and don’t have a lot of time to review applications, so this service makes it much easier to find the right people with the right qualifications,” BCRBHCA president Jack Davidson said.

Hochstein pointed out while the new job site will help with the ongoing labour crunch afflicting the industry, it will only be one part of a bigger solution.

“There’s no ‘silver bullet’ to solve the labour shortage. There’s a need for many silver bullets, and this is just one of them,” Hochstein said.

He added since the Internet is global, he fully expected to see applications from skilled overseas workers as well as local interest.

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