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Manitoba's construction sector should have the labour it needs to handle its workload this summer, but significant challenges lie on the horizon for years ahead, a new report states.
The national Construction Sector Council has released its fifth annual forecast, analyzing the supply of and demand for tradespeople and labourers for the billions of dollars worth of projects underway and anticipated over the next nine years.
"I think we're in decent shape as far as our supply is concerned. We're having a bit of a breather this year with demand levelling off to an acceptable pace," said David Martin, executive director of the Manitoba Building and Construction Trades Council. "To date we have been successful in that regard and we have met demand."
Higher demand
However, Martin said a few specific trades are going to be in higher demand here over the next few years, including the likes of crane and heavy equipment operators and boilermakers.
Overall, Manitoba is expected to need more than 10,000 new construction workers over the next nine years as older workers retire and everything from government infrastructure projects to new housing starts increase demand for skilled workers.
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The report shows the demand in Manitoba for many skilled trades will increase by 5% in the next two years alone.
No trade is over-supplied with workers, nor will be in the foreseeable future, Martin said.
Industry representatives said yesterday they are not taking the looming need sitting down, and have many programs in place to attract young workers to the trades, including things like high school career expos, training programs and other initiatives.