August 18, 2008

ELAINE DELLA-MATTIA

The building of the new Sault Area Hospital has created a “drastic” shortage of plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters in the area, with at least 30 more tradesmen needed.

Sault Ste. Marie needs more plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters

ELAINE DELLA-MATTIA

correspondent

There is a “drastic” shortage of plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters in Sault Ste. Marie to fill the need of two major construction projects in the Northern Ontario city.

Sault Ste. Marie Construction Association manager Rick Thomas said that the construction of the new Sault Area Hospital project is the largest plumbing project underway in the area and the shortage anticipated two years ago has exceeded predictions.

“We anticipated a shortage but we didn’t think it would be this significant,” Thomas said.

Between 30 and 50 registered, licensed plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters are needed to fill the void and keep projects running on time and on budget.

No more apprentices are needed on the job sites, he said.

“The shortage is worse than we expected because of two situations that weren’t factored into the mix,” Thomas said.

Essar Algoma Steel’s co-generation plant is running behind production schedule, keeping many of the required tradesmen at the sprawling plant to complete that project.

When completed, the plant will use its own waste to produce energy.

As well, Essar has expanded its maintenance and piping project as part of an internal capital works program.

“Essar’s program of maintenance and its plan to increase its steelmaking capacity has also required extra manpower,” Thomas said. “They’re doing lots of work upgrading and they’ll require a few years of manpower.”

Other trades shortages are also expected to hit shortly.

Thomas said that it’s estimated that about 15 to 20 drywall carpenters will be needed in the near future and about 30 to 50 electricians.

Masons and carpenters are fully employed, he noted.

“Now’s the time where we’re putting pressure on the union side of the industry to draw people from other communities,” Thomas said. “Mobility is our tool.”

While the construction industry is very familiar with a mobile workforce, he noted that those projects that involve overtime and incentives are somewhat more attractive to out-of-town tradesmen and easier to fill.

The Sault Area Hospital project has not budgeted for overtime.

But Sault Ste. Marie’s situation is not unique in the Canadian construction industry.

Trade shortages are being experienced throughout the country, especially with an aging workforce and a declining number of people entering trade professions.

Alberta has put out an open call for all trades.

“We have a good network of unions working together and responding to our needs and everyone is very co-operative because they understand how the system works,” Thomas said.

While workers from the surrounding areas are already working on the hospital job site, Thomas could not say how many are from out of town.

Some are iron workers, millwrights and cement fitters, he said.

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