The construction industry in Canada is facing a significant labour shortage, with more than 85,000 workers projected to be needed by 2033 to meet the demands of the industry’s growth. To tackle this issue, BuildForce Canada has released a report outlining four principles for immigration reform to better support the industry’s workforce needs.
Canada’s Four Principles for Immigration Reform
- Address Educational Bias in the Express Entry Selection System
The current Express Entry system favours university-educated applicants, potentially excluding individuals with valuable skills or a willingness to work in construction. To better align with domestic labour force priorities, the system should be reformed to award additional selection points based on industry needs, increasing the likelihood that skilled and unskilled trade workers would be invited to apply for immigration.
- Better Align Federal and Provincial Immigration Policies and Increase Transparency
Immigration is a shared responsibility among the federal, provincial, and territorial governments. Greater coordination is required among these programs and with the federal system to ensure that goals are transparent and enable the industry to coordinate domestic training and recruitment programs with the projected inflow of permanent residents.
- Ensure Industry Involvement in Labour Market Planning, Analysis, and Recruitment
The federal government should consult more broadly with Canadian industries, particularly those that are strongly dependent on skilled trades workers, to support the adoption of industry best practices and human resource tools.
- Support Competencies-Based Skills Assessments for Foreign Credential Recognition
While credential recognition is within the purview of the provinces and territories, the federal government can and should play a role in ensuring the provinces and territories adopt competencies-based skills assessments. This can help ensure individuals with foreign credentials are matched to job opportunities that align with their skills.
The construction sector is projected to grow over the next decade, driven by non-residential projects and renewed growth in the residential sector. To meet these demands, the industry will need to hire from a variety of sources, including new permanent and non-permanent residents. However, the current immigration system may not support this objective. By adopting these four principles, Canada can better address its labour shortage and ensure the construction sector has the skilled workers it needs to thrive.
Challenges Faced by the Construction Sector
The construction industry in Canada faces unique challenges when it comes to recruiting skilled workers. Technical trades and transportation officers and controllers are particularly in demand but have struggled to obtain entry under Canada’s existing Express Entry system. This highlights a critical gap between current immigration policies and the needs of the construction sector.
Projected Growth in Construction Activity
Construction activity is set to increase significantly across Canada over the next decade. With more than $450 billion worth of non-residential projects underway and renewed growth expected in the residential sector in the middle and later years of the 2020s, there will be a substantial demand for skilled workers in the industry. This growth presents both opportunities and challenges for the construction sector.
Importance of Industry Involvement
Industry involvement in labour market planning, analysis, and recruitment is crucial for addressing labour shortages effectively. By consulting with Canadian industries that heavily rely on skilled trade workers, policymakers can gain valuable insights into industry needs and develop strategies to attract and retain skilled workers within the construction sector.
Conclusion
In conclusion, addressing labour shortages in the construction industry requires a comprehensive approach that involves reforming immigration policies to better align with industry needs. By adopting BuildForce Canada’s four principles for immigration reform, Canada can ensure that the construction sector has access to skilled workers from abroad while also supporting domestic training initiatives. This proactive approach will not only help bridge the current labour gap but also contribute to the long-term sustainability and growth of the construction industry in Canada.
Interested in Immigrating to Canada?
