In short, the council's findings indicated a need for more than 10,000 new people to enter the construction workforce in Manitoba over the next eight years. Of these, 4,500 are needed to replace retirements of existing personnel and 6,000 are needed to keep up with the construction work demand.
Keep in mind that these numbers reflect skilled labour needs for all construction activity in Manitoba over the next eight years, not just residential construction. Industrial and commercial buildings, highways, pipelines, government projects, Manitoba Hydro, transportation and warehousing are just some of the many facets of construction in Manitoba.
However, all construction sectors are projected to increase in scope, production and labour needs over the next eight years.
Given some of the mega-projects (airport, pipelines, Hydro, floodway, football stadium, to name a few) anticipated for Manitoba over the next eight years, there is little wonder that the most pressing shortages are in specific occupations such as crane operators, heavy equipment operators and mechanics, boilermakers, ironworkers and welders.
The CSC report indicates an urgent and immediate need for persons trained in these trades with the situation becoming critical if not addressed immediately.
Although these may be the most identifiable shortages in terms of immediacy, they are not necessarily so as it relates to numbers of persons needed. They also do not reflect most employment opportunities within the residential construction sector.
The Construction Sector Council report indicates continued projected growth in new home construction over the next eight years in Manitoba. In order to meet those demands, a large number of skilled trade professionals will be needed.
The following are examples of projected trade needs for professions common to the residential housing industry. Note that these numbers reflect needs for all construction projects utilizing that trade and not just residential construction, also appreciating the availability of crossover work throughout the 2008-2016 period.
Carpenters - 986
Electricians - 431
Contractors and Supervisors - 856
Painters and Decorators - 392
Roofers and Shinglers - 203
Helpers and Labourers - 1,158
The above only represent six of the 31 identified trades but comprise a large number of the necessary employment categories. These six trades were selected to indicate the myriad of opportunities that will exist in Manitoba in the coming years.
The jobs in construction will be there. However, the overwhelming concern is whether we will be able to fill them.
Next: Where will the 10,000 needed workers come from?
This column prepared by the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
