The findings of a new industry-wide survey released by the BC Construction Association (BCCA) highlight the employment opportunities in the booming construction sector.
B.C.B次元官网网址檚 construction industry continues to be the No. 1 employer in B.C.B次元官网网址檚 goods sector, with more than 219,500 people relying directly on construction for a paycheque. ThatB次元官网网址檚 down three per cent since 2017, but still makes up eight per cent of the total workforce. ItB次元官网网址檚 estimated there will be more than 11,000 B.C. construction jobs unfilled due to labour shortages by 2030
ALSO READ:
Over the course of this pandemic year the top issues of concern to construction contractors shifted somewhat, although availability of skilled workforce remains the top challenge regardless of labour affiliation. The chronic lack of prompt payment jumped from third to second place and worries about safety climbed into the No. 3 spot this year.
B次元官网网址淥ur industry has been through a lot this past year, but amidst the challenges we can see that our workforce is getting more diverse, which will help our skilled labour shortageB次元官网网址 says Chris Atchison, BCCA president. B次元官网网址淭he BC Budget 2021 has raised concerns for our contractors, who were anticipating more fulsome investments in infrastructure to offset extraordinary cost increases, and we continue to highlight the urgency of prompt payment legislation to alleviate the burden of late payments on competed work.B次元官网网址
The BCCA survey results show an increasingly diverse workforce, where workersB次元官网网址 overall satisfaction as measured by their likelihood to recommend construction careers to friends and family rose 118 per cent from the prior year. Part of that increase can be attributed to financial health, with 18 per cent of workers reporting improvements. The average annual wage sits at $63,168, with total earnings for the sector reaching $13.9 billion.
Women are showing increasing gains in this traditionally male industry (females make up 6.2 per cent of the workforce), with 65 per cent of female respondents reporting an increase in income and 53 per cent reporting that they changed jobs for more pay over the past year.
ALSO READ:
Despite the pandemic, 35 per cent of employers reported an increase in the size of their workforce, which is less of a gain than prior years but still significant. More than half of employer respondents say theyB次元官网网址檙e offering more hours this year, and 90 per cent are paying overtime wages. The estimated value of major construction projects currently underway in B.C. is $120 billion, with another $221 billion in proposed B.C. projects.
Do you have a story tip? Email: vnc.editorial@blackpress.ca.
Follow us on and and like us on