Job market | Careers In Construction

Will there be a job for me?

The construction industry has been booming nationwide for nearly a decade. Just look at the facts:

Employment growth in construction has exceeded all other industries in recent years.
Employment in construction reached a record high of one million workers in 2005.
One out of every 17 Canadian workers earns a living in construction.
The industry was involved in $168 billion worth of projects in 2007.

Current economic conditions have slowed growth, but construction is expected to continue to outperform other industries. Governments’ fiscal stimulus is a key driver in 2009 and 2010. As economic conditions improve, industry will see the return of private investment as postponed projects are resumed and new major construction projects are announced. As well, many workers are nearing retirement – so the odds are good that the demand for skilled construction workers will remain high.

The Construction Sector Council has created a province-by-province, trade-by-trade labour market forecast for the next nine years.

To find the job prospects for particular trades, visit the Pick a career section of this website and select the trade that interests you.

Below is a summary of the latest forecast by province.

Alberta

Construction employment in Alberta has slowed after more than a decade of extraordinary growth. Major project cancellations and delays will lead to weaker construction markets in 2009, but big energy-related projects are expected to be back on stream by 2012-2013. The province will need about 22,000 construction workers to replace those who are expected to retire over the 2009-2017 period, in addition to 8,000 new workers needed to accommodate the expected rise in construction activity later in the period.

British Columbia

Since 2000, British Columbia has led the country in construction employment growth. Moderate demand for trades working on industrial, infrastructure and institutional projects is expected to continue over the near term. The province will need at least 26,000 construction workers to replace those who are expected to retire over the 2009-2017 period, plus an additional 6,400 workers to meet the requirements attributable to the expected rise in construction activity over that same period.

Manitoba

Manitoba is in the midst of a resource-led expansion that has raised construction activity and employment to record levels. Growth is expected to continue throughout the 2009-2017 period. The province will need an estimated 5,300 construction workers to replace those who are expected to retire over this period, plus an additional 5,400 new workers to accommodate the expected rise in construction activity over the same period.

New Brunswick

Proposed major engineering and industrial projects in New Brunswick are expected to increase construction employment over the 2009-2017 period. The province will need 5,200 workers to replace those expected to retire over this period, in addition to about 2,400 more workers needed to meet demands for new construction over the same period. A recent announcement, however, cancelling a major industrial project will offset the demand for labour over the near term.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Major industrial and resource projects will generate employment opportunities for construction trades in Newfoundland and Labrador and will increase construction employment. At a minimum, the province will need 3,200 workers to replace retiring workers over the 2009-2017 period, plus more than 3,200 to meet demands for new construction over the same period.

Nova Scotia

Ongoing construction activity will keep the industry steady in Nova Scotia. At a minimum, the province will need 5,900 workers to replace retiring workers and about 600 more to meet demands for new construction over the 2009-2017 period.

Ontario

Construction in Ontario has been steadily growing for more than 10 years with employment for many trades at or near record levels in 2007. The pace of growth, however, slows over the near term with moderate year-to-year changes driven primarily by government-related infrastructure spending. An expansion across all sectors is expected later in the 2009-2017 period. Many baby boomers will retire over the next nine years, taking essential technical, supervisory and management skills with them. The province will need an estimated 60,000 workers to replace those retiring, plus an additional 75,000 workers to fill new employment opportunities related to new construction over the 2009-2017 period.

Prince Edward Island

In Prince Edward Island, more than 1,000 construction workers will be needed to replace those retiring over the 2009-2017 period.

Quebec

Construction activity in Quebec is strong, with major infrastructure and resource-based industrial and engineering projects driving demand. Between 2009 and 2017, Quebec will need 35,000 construction workers to replace retiring workers, plus an additional 48,000 workers to accommodate the expected rise in construction activity.

Saskatchewan

A surge in industrial and engineering construction activity in Saskatchewan will increase construction employment to record levels over the near term. Saskatchewan will require 4,300 new workers in order to meet peak demand in 2014, as well as 4,400 workers to replace retiring workers over the next decade.

Updated August 25, 2009