Construction sector representatives met with the federal and provincial governments today to discuss skilled labour initiatives and human resource planning, as part of a series of roundtables being held over coming months with sectors highlighted in the BC Jobs Plan.

The roundtables, co-hosted with industry associations and employers, aim to stimulate discussion and create awareness about how sectors can access skilled labour and satisfy human-resource requirements, as a result of an aging population. These demographic realities – together with economic growth – place significant pressure on key sectors to find innovative solutions to address skills shortages.

Participants were invited to share information and discuss the unique challenges in the construction sector, specifically related to hiring and retaining qualified skilled workers, the apprenticeship system, and public-private partnerships.

This is another way government is working to provide employers and industry the opportunity to ask and respond to questions and inform the provincial and federal governments of key labour issues.

Quotes:

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour -

“Through ongoing dialogue and sharing of ideas, we are working to address the shifting needs of B.C.’s labour market. This roundtable will provide an excellent forum to engage with key stakeholders and take a closer look at how our government as well as industry can continue to partner to meet employers’ labour market needs.”

Philip Hochstein, president, Independent Contractors and Businesses Association –

“There are many government programs to deal with labour market issues that our industry should be more familiar with. This roundtable is a good example of ensuring the construction industry knows how to access them, and is a good occasion to provide direct feedback to some of the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

Quick Facts:

• B.C. has reached a tipping point where less young people are entering the workforce than older people leaving it. That is why government is taking action now to address this rapidly changing labour market.
• The approximate contribution to B.C.’s real GDP by the construction industry is over $15 billion.
• There are over 22,000 construction companies in BC, with 93% of them comprised of 20 employees or less.
• The sector is forecasted to contribute an 11% increase to B.C.’s GDP by 2018.

Learn More:

B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: www.workbc.ca/skills

BC Jobs Plan: www.engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/