b'CONSTRUCTION PRIORITIES:WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTIONWOMENS WORK By Sarah B. HoodTCA LAUNCHES NEW COMMITTEE TO HELP BRING MORE FEMALE WORKERS INTO CONSTRUCTIONAGAINST A BACKDROP OFIn the GTA, overall constructionbeen underrepresented is not new, but continuing labour shortages inemployment is projected to grow bythere is still much that could be done the construction industry across the27,200 workers (+16 per cent) overto increase their participation. The country, TCA has made a commitment to2022 levels by 2032: When combinedBuildForce report further notes that, focus on three interconnected strategicwith employment increases created byalthough Ontarios construction industry initiatives over the next 12 to 24 months.growth, the expected retirement of moreemployed approximately 70,400 women The first is to address labour shortfallsthan 82,600 workers (18 per cent of thein 2022, up by nearly 2,700 from the directly; the second is to delve into the2022 labour force) will increase overallprevious years total, only 23 per cent new and emerging technologies that willindustry hiring requirements to nearlyworked directly in on-site construction help businesses do more with less, and119,000 over the forecast period. and that women represented just four the third is to explore ways to attract andper cent of the more than 435,000 retain more women in construction. AsDespite a growing influx of youngertradespeople employed in Ontariopart of this third initiative, TCA is formingworkers into construction across thein 2022.a new committee. province, Ontario is expected to see a projected gap of almost 30,500 workersWe are in the process of forming a In April of this year, BuildForce Canadathat will need to be filled from a varietyWomen in Construction Committee, published its 2023-2032 Constructionof sources outside the existing laboursays TCA president and CEO John force to meet demands. In order toMollenhauer. TCA has been working, and Maintenance Looking Forwardmeet that demand, BuildForce noteshe says, to identify the right committee report for Ontario, which found thatthat certain demographic groups,candidates: People who have their labour markets were already strainedincluding women, Indigenous peoplefinger on the pulse and who will be well by late 2022, and that record-lowand newcomers to Canada, offer fruitfulpositioned to advise the association.construction-sector unemploymentsources of potential candidates.rates and a loss of skills and experienceWith such sobering predictions about brought about by the departure of olderThe idea of attracting more women intolabour shortfalls for the industry, finding workers were intensifying the pressure. positions where they have traditionallya solution will require a multi-pronged 22Quarter 22024 BUILDERSDIGEST'