BC Celebrates Construction and Skilled Trades Month in April

Apr 2, 2018

The British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) and the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills, and Training are raising awareness about careers in construction throughout April.

“Construction and Skilled Trades Month is a great opportunity to raise awareness of the job opportunities in the building trades, especially as the industry is booming,” says Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training. “We expect over 59,000 jobs in construction to open up by 2027, and that means we’re going to need more diversity in the workforce. This is good news for women and Indigenous groups looking for a good-paying job.”

Over 200,000 workers are employed in the construction sector. However, there are only 3,600 registered female apprentices working in BC. The province is investing $1.8 million over the next two years to recruit, retain and advance women in the construction trades.

Over the next three years, the province will invest $15.8 billion in taxpayer-supported infrastructure throughout the province, supporting thousands of jobs during construction. This includes a direct investment by government of $1.2 billion in planned capital expenses in the post-secondary sector.

“Skilled trades is a perfect career choice for those who want to help make, build, and maintain our communities and the province,” says Gary Herman, CEO, Industry Training Authority. “It’s a great time to be in trades. With a large number of trades people retiring over the next 10 years, there is tremendous growth potential for trades apprentices throughout BC.”

In 2017, the B.C. construction industry had 8,395 job vacancies, a 20% increase from the previous year, and 25% of Canada’s overall construction industry job vacancies.

A number of trades facilities are currently under construction in the province. Among them are

• College of New Caledonia — $18.5 million for a new heavy-mechanical trades-training facility in Prince George, including $10.1 million from the Province.
• College of the Rockies — $11.6 million for a new trades-training facility in Cranbrook
• North Island College — $17.7 million for a new trades-training facility in Campbell River
• Northern Lights College — $34 million for a new trades-training centre in Dawson Creek
• Northwest Community College — $18.4 million to renew a trades-training facility in Terrace
• Okanagan College — $6.21 million for a new trades-training facility in Vernon
• Selkirk College — $22.2 million for the Silver King Trades Campus Renewal project in Nelson
• Thompson Rivers University — $33.1 million for a new Industrial Training and Technology Centre in Kamloops
• Vancouver Island University — $20 million for the Marine, Automotive and Trades Complex expansion in Nanaimo