b'FEATUREHOW LONG THIS SHORTAGE IS GOING TO LAST IS ANYONES GUESS. THE PANDEMIC ACTUALLY INCREASED THE DEFICIT OF SKILLED WORKERS, SO THE INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT ARE RESTARTING WORK ON THE LABOUR SHORTAGE FROM A WORSE POSITION THAN IN 2019.rental units, by 2030 to tackle housingAs the labour shortage increases, theHe added that contractors should affordability [and availability]. Thistalent available is simply being spreadrecognize the changes they may have to number includes current Canadiantoo thin to properly meet the needsmake, such as quicker adoption of new public needs and future needs to houseof the overall industry. How long thistechnology, eliminating the risk being Canadas increased immigration overshortage is going to last is anyonesdownloaded to them in project contracts the next three or four years. Interestingly,guess. The pandemic actually increasedand staying ahead of regulatory changes the housing crisis has recently causedthe deficit of skilled workers, so theimpacting the industry.the federal government to look atindustry and government are restarting possibly reducing the near-termwork on the labour shortage from a immigration numbers. worse position than in 2019. It boils down to a few key steps to help manage this period of uncertainty:THE LABOUR SHORTAGE ANDAnother wild card is the regulatory steps THE ENVIRONMENT being taken by governments to deal1.Increase adoption of new technology The housing challenges get into awith climate change and move towardsto counterbalance the shortage of net-zero emissions for buildings. In manyskilled labour.chicken-and-egg situation with anotherrespects, the direction being taken by important issue: the shortage ofprovinces and the federal government skilled workers. The increased annualincludes the practical side of reducing2.Be vigilant with project contracts by immigration numbers were to assist withcarbon emissions and meeting netincluding wording that prevents the the labour shortage by attracting morezero. What is not clear is what thedownloading of risk and provides skilled people from foreign countries.cost is going to be; particularly in theprotection when prices rise.However, on the one hand, affordablehousing sector that is currently focused housing is needed for new Canadians.on affordability. 3.Become familiar with and embrace On the other hand, more skilled labour isthe new normal of collaborative work, needed to build them. A catch 22? Compliance with net zero couldand be prepared to participate in be a costly endeavour for buyers ofpreconstruction planning.In the GTA, the labour shortage is alsoconstruction and constructors alike, causing uncertainty for companies assaid Mollenhauer. This again leads to they try to keep up with the continuingmore uncertainty. 4. Most importantly, have an agile high level of construction activity withbusiness that is organized to move depleted human resources. The labourRESPONDING TO THISquickly when the market, regulations CHALLENGE and other factors change.shortage is forcing many constructionThe challenges presented by the current companies to reduce the number ofuncertainty in the industry will requireTCA will also be a good partner to workers on project teams to ensureconstruction companies to change they can adequately cover their manytheir operations in this unusual time,assist with many of these challenges. projects, said Mollenhauer. It is alsosaid Mollenhauer. We cant continueKeep an eye on the TCA website (www.causing the industry to cannibalizeto do the same things we have done intcaconnect.com) and communications itself as companies lure skilled workersthe past and expect to deal with theseas the industry works through this from their competitors.new challenges.uncertain time.28Quarter 32023 BUILDERSDIGEST'