Canada's construction workforce must meet the demands of new and ongoing resource development, as well as sustaining and maintenance work, according to BuildForce Canada's 2015-2024 Construction and Maintenance Looking Forward forecast released today.

Overall growth in construction employment will slow. From 2011 to 2014, national growth was 62,400 jobs, while gains across the next 10 years, 2015-2024, will be 81,000 jobs, according to the report.

“As oil investments slow, opportunities continue in pipeline, transportation systems, electricity generation and distribution projects,” said Rosemary Sparks, executive director of BuildForce Canada. “New jobs are being created, supporting current and future resource production.”

The industry will need to offset the rising number of retirements; up to 250,000 construction workers, or 21%, of the workforce, is set to retire in the next decade, according to the report.

“Replacing that many retirees is an ongoing challenge,” said Sparks. “Industry can’t afford to let up on recruitment, whether it’s attracting young people, workers from other industries, or from outside the country.”

Meeting these demands from unemployment, moving the workforce across markets and provinces, and attracting Canada’s youth into construction will not be enough, according to the report. An additional 100,000 new workers from outside construction – and likely outside of Canada – will be needed.

BuildForce Canada uses a scenario-based forecasting system to assess future labor market conditions. This labor market information system tracks measures for 34 trades and occupations. BuildForce consults with industry, including owners, contractors and labour groups, to validate the scenario assumptions and construction project lists, and seeks input from government on related analysis.