Manitoba¹s construction industry was reminded again this week that it faces a significant shortage in skilled labour over the next 10 years. The Manitoba Construction Sector council convened a workshop of industry partners to address this situation.
In June of this year, the CSC published an assessment of the construction labour market from 2009 through 2017. The report indicated that construction employment needs would rise, but there would be an expected shortfall of nearly 9,000 workers over that time. A total of 5,400 would be needed just to keep pace with anticipated retirements.
Immediate needs have been highlighted by some of this province¹s major projects. The federal stimulus package has helped kick-start some of these projects but, without an adequate available workforce, it will be very difficult to bring them to fruition.
Although residential construction has experienced a downturn in 2009, all indicators point to growth and expansion from 2010 through 2017. Just last week, the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation projected a 12.3 per cent increase in housing starts in 2010 compared to 2009.
Manitoba is still experiencing economic growth while other provinces had declines this year. Our population continues to increase and our unemployment rate is among the lowest in Canada. As mentioned earlier, major projects such as those by Manitoba Hydro, the Government of Manitoba, Trans Canada Pipelines, INCO and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights will continue to exert great demands on the existing workforce.
Commercial building construction is expected to increase next year.
Manufacturing, transportation and engineering construction growth is all anticipated in 2010 and beyond.
However, a major concern is where the workers necessary to complete these projects will be found.
Resolving the problem is not as simple as a short term fix. This shortage took time to develop and it will take time to fix. Time we don¹t have.
Although our net migration patterns are positive and we have the ability to recruit domestic and foreign skilled labour to this province, that will contribute to the solution but not resolve it. Manitoba does have a share of underemployed people who want to improve their career but haven¹t yet found the opportunity to do so. These individuals need to be given the opportunity to train and learn a new profession.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders’ Association
