VRCA members surveyed tell us the No. 1 issue keeping them up at night is the skilled labour shortage. And with good reason \u2013 the Lower Mainland\u2019s construction industry is busy and industry unemployment is below 4 per cent, placing it near historic lows.<\/p>\n
At the same time, the industry\u2019s workforce is aging. Within the decade, approximately 22 per cent of today\u2019s skilled trades workers will retire. The retirements will be offset somewhat by first-time new entrants aged 30 years and younger anticipated to join the local construction workforce, however, it won\u2019t be enough.<\/p>\n
The Lower Mainland will be short 7,300 workers by late 2021, and 17,400 by 2029. Province wide, the construction industry will be short 23,000 skilled trade workers by 2029.<\/p>\n
VRCA offers the following resources for navigating the skilled labour shortage. The resources have been organized around recruitment life cycle of: Understand the Market<\/a>, Attract<\/a>, Train<\/a> and Retain<\/a>.
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