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Employers reported that one position remained unfilled for every 9.4 employees

Shortage of construction workers 'acute'

It's known as the "skilled trades capital" of Canada, training 20% of all apprentices, even though it's home to just 10% of the population. But the shortage of skilled construction workers in Alberta remains "acute," according to a recent survey, and demand isn't expected to slow down.

LINDA WHITE
[ 2008-02-13 ]

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According to a bi-annual survey released last summer by Merit Contractors Association, contractors may be adapting to the worker shortage crunch, but there simply aren't enough qualified tradespeople to fill available job opportunities.

Merit is an Alberta-based not-for-profit association that represents more than 1,200 contractor member firms that employ more than 40,000 people in commercial, institutional and industrial construction sectors. Its survey points to the open-shop sector, which makes up about 80% of Alberta's construction industry, as an example. Employers reported that one position remained unfilled for every 9.4 employees.

That's an improvement over the previous year's survey, when one in 7.8 trade positions were going unfilled, but shortages persist throughout the booming province. In Calgary, for instance, 91% of companies employing lathers/drywallers reported shortages and in Edmonton, 73% of employers wanting to hire additional plumbers were experiencing difficulties.

IN-DEMAND TRADES


"People have been coming from other provinces and our apprenticeship program has picked up," Merit vice-president Bill Stewart says. But demand for skilled and unskilled workers remains high. "Our major-projects listing has ballooned to $244 billion, which doesn't include residential or commercial projects worth less than $5 million."


He lists the following among the trades in demand: steamfitters, electricians and anything related to system processing, such as welding. "We will go into a bit of a downturn in residential construction trades, but there has been big demand for carpenters and form fitters," Stewart says. "There are incredible opportunities for industrial construction trades."

According to Alberta Finance, investment in non-residential building construction hit $2.4 billion in the final quarter of 2007 -- up 31.7% from the same quarter in 2006. Heavy investment in commercial projects, especially new offices and retail and wholesale buildings, propelled the increase.

Sureway Construction Management is always looking for people to join its team, reports Patti McJannet, the company's Human Resources manager. "Most of the trades are in high demand right now. Our organization requires welders, mechanics, heavy-equipment operators and labourers."

The general contractor firm regularly attends job fairs and accepts online application forms. You can also download an application form that can be faxed to the office. "Our season typically runs from April to November," McJannet says. "When we're ready to start our recruitment, we'll contact them."

The Alberta Roadbuilders & Heavy Construction Association (www. arhca.ab.ca) is predicting work will increase over the next five to 10 years. The industry encompasses a variety of careers, such as labourers, truck drivers, heavy-equipment technicians, equipment operators, engineering technologists, professional engineers, safety officers, environmental professionals, Human Resources and administrative office personnel.

Visit www.careerscons truction.com and www.careersinconstruction.ca for general information about jobs in that industry.

WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO YOU NEED?


- To work in a designated trade in Alberta, you must be a registered apprentice, a certified journeyman or hold a recognized trade certificate. In some trades, you can work for an employer who is satisfied that you have the skills and knowledge expected of a certified journeyman.

- Many designated trades participate in the Interprovincial Standards (Red Seal) Program. In these trades, a journeyman with a valid certificate from a Canadian province or territory bearing a "Red Seal" may work in Alberta. If you hold a valid certificate from another province or territory, you can apply to write the Interprovincial Exam and, if successful, be granted a Red Seal.

- To learn more, visit www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca.



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