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Kingston –
After a decade of steady growth and employment for many trades at or
near record levels in 2007, Ontario’s construction industry is
expected to maintain manageable growth that will require the hiring of
nearly 74,000 workers over the next eight years, the Construction
Sector Council (CSC) says in its fourth annual edition of
“Construction Looking Forward,” a detailed forecast of labour market
trends from 2008 to 2016 in Ontario.
“While there is some risk of an economic slowdown affecting Ontario,
the level of growth for construction over the next 8 years remains
very positive,” said Ron Martin, Executive Director of the Sudbury
Construction Association. “Major projects underway and proposed will
add significant construction related employment in the province.”
Under the current outlook, between 2008 and 2016, as many as 17,600
new workers are required to keep pace with new projects, while another
56,300 workers are needed to replace retiring baby boomers.
“And this doesn’t include several major projects that are under
review,” noted Ron McGillis, Manager Safety Compliance and Contractor
Quality of Ontario Power Generation. “Recent announcements of a
nuclear reactor facility, the potential for a new oil refinery in
southern Ontario, and increased infrastructure investment will
generate added employment opportunities for Ontario workers.”
“For Ontario’s construction industry, it will remain important to
promote careers, attract youth and enhance training programs,” said
Patrick Dillon, Business Manager of the Provincial Building and
Construction Trades Council of Ontario. “This support is needed both
to deepen the ranks of skilled workers for new construction and to
replace retiring workers.”
“Addressing the increasing need for more skilled construction workers
in Ontario is crucial and we must make recruitment and training a
priority,” says Richard Lyall, President of RESCON.
As one of the largest industries in Canada, construction employs more
than a million Canadians. National employment across the entire
construction industry has risen by a record 39% over the past five
years.. |
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