b'LABOUR FORCE FEATURELOOKING AHEAD WITH BUILDFORCEFavourable demographics should helpManitoba replenish its construction labour forceBy Bill Ferreira, Executive Director, BuildForce CanadaManitobas construction andin demand for residential renovationsuch, Manitobas construction labour force maintenance industry experiencedand maintenance work. Additionally,should be able to meet its anticipated a moderate level of activity in 2022,modest but sustained employmenthiring needs locally.with employment remaining virtuallygrowth is expected in the non-residentialNotwithstanding the provinces favourable unchanged as further work onsector between 2025 and 2030 as ademographics, labour force development infrastructure projects offset contractionsseries of projects cycle up and down.will remain a top-of-mind issue for from the winding down of the KeeyaskConstruction activity in Manitoba shouldeveryone working in the construction dam project. remain at a relatively constant levelsector. Until recently, registration in the In our 2023-2032 Constructionthroughout the forecast period, whichprovinces construction apprenticeship and Maintenance Looking Forwardshould contribute to mostly balancedprograms had been in decline, dropping report, BuildForce Canada forecastslabour markets by 2032. from 1,887 in 2013 to 1,239 in 2018. employment in Manitoba may contractDemographics will play a larger role inRegistrations have since recovered, moderately across the 10-year period bythe future of labour force development.with a total of 2,007 reported in 2021. just below one per cent. The residentialIn 2011, the first of the baby boomWith competition for younger workers sector is expected to experience ageneration reached 65 years of age. Inexpected to intensify over the coming contraction of almost three per cent,2022, the last of the baby boomers wereyears, the industry will need to continue while the non-residential sector should58. Nearly all of them will be retired byto broaden its recruitment of individuals see a slight increase of just below one2032. Unlike other provinces, however,from groups historically underrepresented per cent. These figures are based onManitoba finds itself in an enviablein the industrys labour force to meet its existing demands and do not accountposition. Over the coming decade,future workforce needs. for the federal governments goal tothe province will have as many youngA look at registration data shows double the number of new homes builtpeople entering the labour force asthat there has been some progress in Canada over the next decade, nor dothose expected to leave for retirement.in this area. In 2013, the share of they account for the anticipated demandBuildForce projects that approximatelywomen registering in a construction for construction services related to the7,600 workers (nearly 19 per cent of theapprenticeship program was just 2.7 per electrification of the economy. 2022 labour force) will retire by 2032,cent. In 2021, this share had increased Despite the moderation in demandwhile an estimated 8,700 new workersto 5.4 per cent of total registrations. This for new housing construction, thereunder the age of 30 are expected to joinis in no small part due to the efforts of should be almost continuous growththe industry from the local population. Asthe industry to broaden recruitment and SERVICES: Wire SawingSelectiveElectric & Diesel Demolition Flat SawingConcrete Coring Civil Engineering Experts for Wall Sawing Subdivisions, Commercial, Industrial & @204demolition Residential Developments.204demolition.ca 204-823-1738info@sbxconsulting.ca www.sbxconsulting.ca32 BUILD MANITOBAwinnipegconstruction.ca'