Montréal, June 13, 2024 / RMC / – According to the publication Perspectives régionales dans l’industrie de la construction 2024-2028, produced by the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ), average workforce needs in the construction industry will remain high in coming years: 17,000 people per year will be required over the next five years to work in every region of Québec.
For the 2024–28 period, these recruitment needs cover both replacement needs and needs created by the growth in hours worked. This is a rise of 1,000 people in comparison to last year’s forecast. New this year: workforce needs are now presented both quantitatively and qualitatively, for all trades and for all regions.
In the current economic context, the CCQ intends to put into play data and analyses that not only will be useful for a fuller understanding the economic context for construction but will also enable the CCQ and its partners to offer strategies adapted to the needs; in this case, the objectives sought are better job retention, ways to attract more graduates to the construction trades, and greater employment of immigrants.
Average annual workforce needs are established in relation to predicted demand, worker turnover, the evolution of worker ageing, worker availability, and graduation levels in the trades. The current projection is based on the CCQ’s most recent forecast, made in 2023, and covers work subject to Act R-20, which excludes residential renovations. Certain investments by Hydro-Québec are related to its Plan d’action 2035. The CCQ’s projections will be adjusted as announcements are made by Hydro-Québec.
Excellent vocational prospects
The high level of economic activity projected for coming years puts pressure on the demand for qualified workers in the construction industry. Although needs are high throughout Québec, the Greater Montréal, Québec City, and Mauricie–Bois-Franc regions will be particularly affected.
“These data confirm that there will be a need for workers for a number of years to come and that the modernization undertaken by our government is necessary,” stated Jean Boulet, Minister of Labour and Minister Responsible for the Mauricie Region, the Abitibi-Témiscamingue Region, and the Nord-du-Québec Region. “The measures proposed, including building a versatile and mobile workforce, will make it possible to reduce construction delays, lower costs, and ensure a better match between Québec’s construction capacity and the immense needs.”
“The construction sector will be looking for around 9% of its projected workforce over the next few years, when almost 200,000 workers will be on the job sites, explains Audrey Murray, CEO of the CCQ. These figures are comparable to other economic sectors. Over the coming months, we will continue to improve our measurement of needs. In 2023, we welcomed 3,950 new construction graduates, out of nearly 15,700 new employees. Strategies to attract, retain and train the workforce we need will have to be bold and agreed with key partners. Intensifying the use of work-study programs is already emerging as an avenue to be favored. The CCQ will be on hand to implement appropriate solutions.”
Consult the CCQ’s publication Perspectives régionales dans l’industrie de la construction 2024-2028.
Source :
Marie-Noëlle Deblois
Direction des affaires publiques et des communications
514 265-6422
medias@ccq.org
Site Web : ccq.org
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