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LABOUR: Construction industry, government set new strategy to address worker shortages
        (AlbertaIndex, November 16, Friday) --- In collaboration with the Alberta government, construction associations and labour groups recently launched “A Workforce Strategy for Alberta’s Construction Industry” to address labour and skills shortages over the next decade.
       
The landmark strategy involving more than 15 industry and labour organizations will help identify and develop actions to ensure an adequate and skilled workforce to meet the growth in Alberta’s construction industry.

The strategy’s key features will:
•    expand opportunities for students to get exposure to and gain work experience in Alberta’s construction industry and become familiar with the nature of construction;
•    develop a promotional campaign targeted at under-employed Albertans who might be amenable to changing careers and working in the construction trades;
•    advocate for more emphasis on trade skills in Canada’s immigration policies and streamline processes for bringing in workers from other countries when shortages of workers with specific trades skills are widely recognized;
•    continue to advocate for improved processes for credential and competence recognition for out-of-province and out-of-country workers seeking employment in Alberta’s construction industry to improve labour mobility;
•    continue efforts to promote best workplace health and safety practices and to identify new approaches to further reduce work-related injuries in the construction industry; and
•    develop mentoring programs to support women, Aboriginal peoples and other under-represented groups in the construction industry.

The organizations involved in implementing the strategy include Alberta Building Trades Council of Unions, Alberta Construction Association, Alberta Roadbuilders & Heavy Construction Association, Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Alberta, Christian Labour Association of Canada, Construction Labour Relations – Alberta, Construction Owners Association of Alberta and Merit Contractors Association.

This and other upcoming workforce strategies, including the non-profit sector, and forestry and logging, complement the government’s 10-year labour force strategy: Building and Educating Tomorrow’s Workforce. The strategy focuses on more workers, better trained and educated people, and innovative workplaces.

“Construction is a vital part of Alberta’s economy and a major employer,” said Iris Evans, Minister of Employment, Immigration and Industry. “If we want to sustain Alberta’s economic growth and prosperity, we will need to find new ways to train, retain and increase the number of construction industry workers. A Workforce Strategy for Alberta’s Construction Industry is a good step in that direction.”

“Alberta’s construction workforce faces an unprecedented demand by the public for schools, hospitals, upgraders, bridges and roads. Ensuring the province has a strong, viable workforce is essential to continued growth not just in this industry but the economy as a whole,” said Ken Gibson, Executive Director of the Alberta Construction Association. “This new construction sector strategy strengthens the ability of the Alberta construction industry to work together and with government to overcome labour challenges.”

“The skilled labour shortage is the No. 1 issue facing the residential construction industry,” said Mary Kenny, Director of Skilled Labour Development for the Canadian Home Builders’ Association - Alberta. “Economic growth, competition from other industries, an aging workforce and a lack of young people entering the trades have contributed to a situation where we simply don’t have the workers we need. It’s imperative that industry join forces to develop opportunities for increased labour development.”


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