b'THE SKILLED LABOUR SHORTAGEFinding ways to lessen the labour dilemma WARREN HEELEYA s the new normal for CanadianBoth skilled and support workers areinto the skilled trades. Another issue construction and mechanical indus- difficult to find because of changingis technology and the opportunity for tries emerges in the post-pandemicdemographics, a shrinking labour poolcompanies to use it to fill the gaps created era, the COVID-19 challenges of materialand new employment opportunities (e.g.,by a shortage of skilled workers.costs and supply chain issues have beenAmazon) drawing job seekers away fromWhat Does BuildForce Say?joined by other past issues like inflation,traditional careers like the skilled trades.In April 2023, BuildForce Canada released higher interest rates and product short- The long-term response by industries toits annual Construction and Maintenance ages. One other challenge continuing tothese systematic challenges is not clear. Looking Forward report. The report for concern the construction and mechanicalSo what does the skilled labour poolthe 2023-2032 period provides employers industries is the shortage of skilled tradelook like now? Because most trades werewith labour market conditions and workers, said Ken Lancastle, COO considered essential, the pandemic itselfforecasts, including labour force supply for MCAC.did not significantly affect the labourand demand, to help employers manage According to Employment and Socialpool. Unfortunately, over recent years,their respective human resources needs. Development Canada, Now morethe pool has continued to shrink asThe new report shows that the rapid rise than ever, as Canada recovers fromretiring workers annually exceeded thein construction demand in 2022 created the COVID-19 pandemic, skillednumber of new workers entering thetighter labour market conditions intradespeople are in high demand to filltrades. Retirement numbers during themost provinces.well-paying jobs and build rewardingpandemic specifically escalated beyondThe labour force section contains the most careers. The most recent projectionsthe norm as many skilled workers decidedimportant forecasts, indicating, Although estimate about 700,000 skilled tradesto retire early because of the chaos thatemployment is expected to record only workers are expected to retire betweenCOVID-19 created. modest increases over the 10-year forecast 2019 and 2028, creating an ever-growingThis labour challenge focuses on findingperiod, labour force management will need to recruit and train thousands more. a better approach to recruiting workersbe challenging. Industry retirements are 18 www.mcac.ca'