Last Word

from Heavy Equipment Guide July/August 2021, Volume 36, Number 7

Spotlight

DEVELOPING TACTICS TO MAINTAIN AND EXPAND THE CONSTRUCTION LABOUR FORCE

The heavy construction industry has, for many years, experienced significant labour shortages particularly in the areas of field personnel, engineers and civil engineering technicians, and project managers.

Furthermore, over the next decade, it is estimated that Canada will see more than one fifth of its construction labour force retire. The exit of 2 in 10 construction workers to retirement represents a significant loss of skills and experience.

Most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has further impacted the heavy construction industry from a labour perspective. Reduced productivity due to absenteeism, crew exposure and subsequent isolation has exacerbated the problem as our industry was already operating in a labour deficit scenario.

In 2020, the National Capital Heavy Construction Association initiated a multi-year Recruitment and Retention Project with funding from the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development to develop strategies and solutions to address the current and anticipated labour shortage. The outcome sought is to improve the perception of the heavy construction industry to make it an attractive, long-term career choice.

We are nearing completion of the first phase of the Project, which calls for extensive research and improved labour market data collection specific to the heavy construction industry so that stakeholders have a true picture of heavy construction labour market needs and opportunities. This information will be useful to industry decision-makers, the education system, governments, and individuals to maximize and most effectively contribute to the sustainability of the industry. Ultimately, the information will form the basis of a strategy to advocate for changes to, for example, immigration policies and school curricula.

At this time, the input of industry’s key stakeholders, including a large collection of heavy construction contractors, private sector owners, suppliers to the heavy construction industry, education institutions, municipalities and other heavy construction industry associations is being used to develop recruitment and retention strategies, which will include measures to promote a positive perception of the construction industry, identifying barriers to recruitment and retention, a focused communications strategy and job opportunity resources available to the public.

The expected results of the Project are: • Identification of barriers to recruitment and retention of workers in the heavy construction industry. • Development of recruitment and retention strategies and solutions resulting in reduced labour market shortages.

Over the next decade, it is estimated that Canada will see more than one fifth of its construction labour force retire. The exit of 2 in 10 construction workers to retirement represents a significant loss of skills and experience.

• Improved public perception of the heavy construction industry leading to it being considered as an attractive, sustainable career choice. • Development of key relationships and partnerships between and among stakeholders in the heavy construction industry. • A comprehensive final report with recommendations on next steps, strategies and solutions.

We look forward to sharing the results of our Project with others in the industry. If you have undertaken a similar project, we would like very much to hear from you.

KATHRYN SUTHERLAND, P.Eng., LLB, FEC is executive director of the National Capital Heavy Construction Association.

The National Capital Heavy Construction Association is a non-profit industry association representing the heavy construction industry (sewer and watermain contractors, roadbuilders and material producers) in the National Capital Region. Our industry is a significant economic driver in Ottawa, with over 9,000 employees performing well over $1 billion in infrastructure work annually. Our members play a vital role in the construction and maintenance of sustainable infrastructure.