b'COVER STORYOntario has generally not experiencedbeen increased over the next three yearsbecome the largest presence in the any significant reductions in constructionas a catch-up measure. skilled trades workforce.work since March 2020 as the demand for skilled workers actually increased.Another area of concern is the shortfallAccording to trades experts, the industry, Investor and owner uncertainty aboutin skilled trades immigrants. Thetrade educators and government bodies the future is challenging longer-termFederal Skilled Trades Programs targetneed to address sagging numbers construction growth and labour needs. of 3,000 immigrants per year is notentering the trades programs. The TECHNOLOGY being met, with the 2019 numberspandemic caused a serious dip in new AND UPGRADINGshowing only 2,365. apprentices that has put industries like New technology introduced to theconstruction even further behind in jobsite (e.g., robotics, 3D printing,Indigenous Canadians make up a largersolving the skilled labour problem.etc.) is making workers and processespercentage of apprentices than their more efficient and effective. Thesepopulation percentage. The fastest- The effect of COVID on the skilled technologies could reduce the number ofgrowing sector of Canadian youthlabour shortage has been minimal. skilled workers needed on projects andentering the trades, they could in futureVery little has changed other than the help bridge the labour shortage gap. Increased technology has an inherent challenge. To implement technology, companies must train workers on new technologies to get the desired results.ADDRESSING THEAccording to the Royal Bank report Powering Up: Preparing Canadas SkilledSHORTAGE IN SKILLED TRADESTrades for a Post Pandemic Economy, 25% of the 4 million trades workers in Canada will need to upgrade their1. I ncrease government funding to promote trades in primaryskills within five years [and] demandand secondary schoolsfor digital and soft skills like creativity and problem solving is expected to rise2.Work with stakeholders to ensure apprenticeship training stays significantly in critical trades. current with workplace technologyThe use of technology in construction increased during the COVID pandemic3.Offer programs for women in the trades such as childcare optionsdue to government restrictions. This technology acceleration on the jobsite4. I ncrease annual numbers of skilled trade immigrantsneeds to be embraced and enhanced bythrough aggressive federal promotion of Canadian trades inconstruction companies to both assistsource countries.with the labour shortage and to stay competitive in the changingconstruction market.CREATING PATHWAYSIndustry, employers and governmentsContact Walsh for must take the lead in promoting tradesupcoming ICIcareers to young people and people looking for new careers, says Johngeneral contracting, Mollenhauer, president and CEO of theconstruction Toronto Construction Association. Inmanagement, and particular, promotion efforts should target underrepresented sectors such design-build projects.as women, Indigenous Canadians andnew immigrants.According to Buildforce stats, womenLets buildmake up only 4.7 per cent of the trades and 13 per cent of the total constructiontogether.workforce. Immigrants currently account for only 8.7 per cent of apprentices in Canadian trades despite being more than 20 per cent of the total CanadianTim Meana | 416.849.9099 population. Though COVID has causedtmeana@walshgroup.com www.walshgroup.coma drop in immigration, the federal allowable immigration numbers have BUILDERSDIGEST Quarter 4 202115'