Large Resource and Infrastructure Projects Drive Regional Growth
TORONTO, Feb. 19, 2014 /CNW/ - Major projects will drive construction
job growth in Ontario and turn up the pressure to replace as much as 25
percent of the province's skilled workforce retiring over the next
decade, according to BuildForce Canada.
The 2014-2023 Construction and Maintenance Looking Forward forecast released today by BuildForce Canada shows some of Canada's
largest infrastructure projects will drive growth in construction
employment over the next 10 years. Forecast highlights include the
following:
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A series of large resource and infrastructure projects create waves of employment in engineering construction, with
increased demand in Northern Ontario over the near term to 2017 and
steady growth in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to 2019.
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Commercial activity also rises in all regions, adding jobs.
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Industrial work recovers, slowly restoring employment levels. Growth in industrial and
commercial sectors is strongest in the GTA.
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Institutional and road, highway and bridge work decline over the near term, but rise
modestly over the medium term.
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Housing construction recovers from a 2013 low point, with recovery reaching new
peaks between 2015 and 2017 in the GTA, and Northern and Central
Ontario, creating the potential for temporary, cyclical labour
shortages.
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Retirements result in the need to replace as many as 83,000 skilled workers over the
next decade.
"Rising retirements, and major projects are two forces driving the
industry," said Rosemary Sparks, Executive Director of BuildForce
Canada. "Industry will need to step up recruitment efforts to attract
workers from other provinces, more youth, women, Aboriginal people and
new immigrants to construction."
BuildForce Canada's forecast, by region:
Northern Ontario
-
The workforce changes dramatically over the next decade, with mining and
infrastructure projects, including the Ring of Fire, the Energy East
pipeline project and ongoing hydroelectric and transmission work,
bringing in a wave of new, often non-resident workers. The
non-residential workforce increases by 40 percent between 2012 and
2017.
-
Housing and commercial building also increases in response, with project
demand exceeding the local workforce.
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Retirements will be higher in this region, given its older workforce.
Recruitment efforts may focus on youth and the Aboriginal community.
Southwest Ontario
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Recovery is anticipated in this region this year. Major project activity
and a revival in housing help to fuel more jobs and the arrival of
construction trades between now and 2017.
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Increased non-residential construction, including highway, bridge and
utility work in 2014, peaks employment in 2017, creating potential
recruiting challenges for some trades.
GTA
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There will be consistent recruiting challenges in this region.
Non-residential building is expected to grow steadily, with the GTA
planning some of the largest infrastructure projects in Canada. Key
projects, including the "Big Move" and the refurbishment of a nuclear
facility, are planned to start, with activity peaking in 2019. This
leaves the GTA with rising labour requirements.
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After reaching a low point in 2013, residential employment starts a
stronger rising trend, peaking in 2019 and then staying at levels close
to 2012.
Central Ontario
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There will be steady growth in most sectors, with a sharp improvement in
residential construction in 2015. This increases demand for selected
trades and occupations.
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Non-residential construction is on a moderate upward trend, with steady
growth in industrial, commercial and institutional construction.
Engineering construction follows a mild cycle as major projects start
up and then wind down.
Eastern Ontario
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Construction employment remains relatively unchanged over the next
decade. Institutional, road, bridge and other government spending will
slow.
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Slower growth translates into a moderate decline in residential
employment.
BuildForce Canada is a national industry-led organization committed to
providing accurate and timely labour market data and analysis to assist
in meeting workforce requirements and advancing the needs of Canada's
construction industry. BuildForce consults with industry stakeholders,
including owners, contractors, labour groups and government to compile
and validate its labour market information. Visit: www.constructionforecasts.ca.
SOURCE: BuildForce Canada
For further information:
Rosemary Sparks, Executive Director, BuildForce Canada
sparks@buildforce.ca
(905)-852-9186
Funded by the Government of Canada
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