Before the recession began, Canada was experiencing a worrying dearth of labour in the skilled trades. because our whole culture encourages people to go to university, there has been a resulting shortage of people in the vocational sector.

The skilled trades that depend on construction are experiencing a slowdown, says Andrew Cardozo, the executive director of the Ottawa-based Alliance of Sector Councils, a network of councils that addresses skills issues in key sectors of the economy.

But while the current recession has people focusing on economic survival, he added, one thing is certain: once the economic crisis has passed, the labour shortage in the skilled trades will once again loom large.

As a result, employers who are faced with the necessity of downsizing now are reluctant to let go of their hard-won apprentices who have vocational skills. According to Cardozo, one way many employers are hanging on to those employees is by creating job-sharing opportunities that see workers working half-time and claiming employment insurance benefits for the other half.

He states, “there are 111,000 workers in Canada doing this in sectors across the board. Employers want to hang onto everyone they can find because they know it’s hard to find people.” Not all sectors are shrinking. There are some areas that are doing very well; once government stimulus money works its way through the system, areas such as construction will pick up very rapidly. Labour shortage will become more apparent once the economy improves.

Solid Fields

In a report published last year, the state’s Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau projected that openings for plumbers, pipe-fitters and their “helpers” – as well as for roofers, cement masons, and diesel mechanics – will be “very favorable” through 2016. Industries that depend on skilled trade workers are key drivers of the Canadian economy and contribute over 50% of Canada’s GDP – or over $550 billion. (Statistics Canada)

Almost 3.8 million Canadians work in five skilled-trades based industries. (Statistic Canada)

• Manufacturing sector employs over 2.3 million Canadians, or 15% of the working population (Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, 20/20 Report)
• Construction sector employs some 775,000 within 33 trade areas (construction Sector Council, National Summary of Labour Requirements from 2006 to 2014)
• Automotive repair and service sector employs over 250,000 people (Canadian Automotive Repair Service Council, 2005)
• Mining sector and petroleum sector employ a combined workforce of approximately 500,000 people (Mining Industry Human Resources Council, Prospecting the Future Sector Study Report 2005)

By 2017, Canada’s mining industry will have a projected shortage of 80,000 workers. (Human Resources and Social Development Canada, 2007) Canada’s construction sector will likely have to replace 152,000 skilled workers by 2017. (Construction Sector Council, 2007) An estimated 400,000 workers in the manufacturing sector will be required by 2019 to replace retirees. (Canadian Labour and Business, 2004)

Future Outlook in the Skilled Trade Industry

At the end of the day, employers know that their employees are a company’s best asset. Having trained, qualified, dedicated staff working for you puts your company in a favourable position with potential client. Skilled trade workers and the industries that employ them will be in high demand within the next few years

By: Sharon Singh
Maizis & Miller Consultant - www.maizisandmiller.com
Heavy Equipment & Diesel Machinery Staffing Agency

Maizis and miller is North America's largest recruiter and job board for HD Heavy Equipment Mechanic, Diesel Truck Mechanic, Service Manager, and Heavy Duty jobs. We help you find Mechanic Jobs, or Qualified Candidates.