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November 14, 2007 – New certification program means safer buildings
August 23, 2007 – The Construction Sector Council introduces www.constructionforecasts.ca!
June 21, 2007 – Manitoba Poised for a Record Expansion in Construction Sector
June 19, 2007 – New forecast says Ontario has the tools to meet rising demand for construction workers
June 13, 2007 – B.C. Construction Boom Likely to Continue for Next Several Years
June 13, 2007 – Reports Highlight Need for Immediate Training and Retention to Meet Atlantic Canada Future Construction Needs
May 31, 2007 – Report sheds light on future of construction in Saskatchewan
May 30, 2007 – Labour forecast helps construction industry meet resource-boom demands
February 5, 2007 – Australia and Canada sign agreement that will benefit both Economies
January 25, 2007 – Canada's New Government announces agreement with Australia to benefit construction sector
January 25, 2007 – Construction Industry Forecasting Tool Goes Global

New certification program means safer buildings

November 14, 2007

OTTAWA – Buildings in Canada will become safer than ever for Canadians and their families as a new professional certification program for Building Officials gets underway.

For the first time, Building Officials–the people who review all plans and inspect homes, apartments, hospitals, office towers, shopping malls, and many other types of buildings to make sure they comply with current building codes–will be certified to a National Standard as qualified professionals.

"The result is safe, code-compliant buildings right across the country," says Mannie Withrow, who will award the first 14 certifications at a special event today at the Sheraton Hotel in Ottawa. Mr. Withrow is President of the Alliance of Canadian Building Officials’ Associations (ACBOA)".

"It is high time these professionals who are knowledgeable and well-trained get the credit and recognition they deserve," adds Mr. Withrow, noting that Building Officials, who work behind the scenes to provide a level of comfort and safety for all Canadians, often did not get the respect they deserve because of the lack of national standards for this profession. "When we do our job right, nothing happens and Canadians get to enjoy the use and occupancy of all buildings across this great country."

Over the past couple of years, the Construction Sector Council (CSC) has partnered with ACBOA, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and other industry stakeholders to develop national occupational standards and a certification process that measures Building Officials' qualifications against an approved standard.

The CSC's Executive Director, George Gritziotis, says "Another important result is that the new national program means Building Officials' credentials will be recognized in all jurisdictions allowing them to work in any province." "The initiative addresses the challenge of an aging workforce and the inadequate supply of skilled labour," he says. "It will provide greater worker mobility, a wider variety of job opportunities and maintain the high level of professionalism required of this important occupation in the construction industry."

Established in 2001, the Construction Sector Council (CSC) is a not–for–profit national labour management organization mandated to address the human resource issues facing the construction industry in Canada. The CSC is supported by the Government of Canada's Sector Council Program.

MORE INFORMATION:
Mannie Withrow, President
Alliance of Canadian Building Officials' Associations
(902) 897-3170
mwithrow@colchester.ca

Rosemary Sparks, Senior Director of Planning and Development
Construction Sector Council
(613) 569-5552
sparks@csc-ca.org

BACKGROUNDER

A National Certification Program for Building Officials

What do Building Officials do?

There are about 7,000 Building Officials in Canada.

Building Officials review plans and inspect the construction of homes, apartments, hospitals, office towers, and many other types of buildings to make sure they comply with building codes. Their goal is to ensure that structural safety, accessibility, fire safety, health, and a range of other issues are addressed prior to occupancy.

Why is a certification program necessary?

When it comes to certification and licensing requirements for professional Building Officials, each province and territory has had different standards and expectations. Up until recently, there was no consistent national standard for performance, and an uneven quality of service that would sometimes lead to a lack of credibility in the inspection industry.

What are the benefits of a certification program?

A National Certification Program will lead to safer buildings, more recognition and a better public image for professional Building Officials. As well, their skills will be recognized anywhere in Canada allowing them to work in different provinces or jurisdictions. The program will also reduce exposure to legal action endured by municipal governments and others when projects are delayed or not up to code.

How did it come about?

The federal government became involved in the late 1990s by bringing together all interested stakeholders to align the certification, licensing and performance standards for Building Officials and for Home and Property Inspectors across Canada. Soon, national occupational standards were developed, outlining the required skills, knowledge and abilities that Building Officials needed to perform their duties.

Based on those performance standards, the Construction Sector Council, the Alliance of Canadian Building Officials Association and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation set up a process for Building Officials to become certified by accredited educational institutions as qualified professionals.

What is the process?

The certification program judges the Building Official's performance against an approved standard that ensures consistent, safe and high-quality inspection services.

In general, Building Officials must prove that they are familiar with current and past provincial and national building codes and standards, federal and provincial legislation and municipal bylaws pertaining to health, fire and life safety as they relate to construction. They must have a solid understanding of all aspects of the construction industry, including construction methods, procedures, practices and materials. These and other qualifications are learned and tested through a vigorous program of study, and on-the-job training requirements.

There are three stages to the National Certification Program for Building Officials: Candidate, Associate and Certified. Specific skill sets, education and training are necessary at each stage.

On November 14, 2007, the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development will attend the launch of a new national certification and accreditation system in Ottawa where the first 14 Building Officials from across Canada will receive their certification. Representatives from the many parties involved in creating this new certification system including, the Construction Sector Council, the Alliance of Canadian Building Officials, and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, will be present.

TOP PRINT

The Construction Sector Council introduces www.constructionforecasts.ca!

August 23, 2007

Construction Forecast Data is now available online and at your fingertips. Customize reports by easily obtaining data from any combination of trades, provinces and other variables.

With a click, this unique industry planning tool delivers sound forecasting and planning data covering up to 10 years, in 31 major construction trades.

In mere seconds, a user can determine the availability of a construction trade/occupation in labour markets across Canada. They can also generate customized tables and graphs on a broad range of selected categories within sector, trade or province. With another click the data is converted to any of a variety of chart formats.

www.constructionforecasts.ca is…

• convenient, eliminating hours of sifting through reports and trade publications and enabling rapid response to medium and long term needs.
• comprehensive, assisting the preplanning process with consistent labour market and economic information for all users, industry wide.
• simple to use, providing a glossary, FAQ and easy to follow guides and suggestions.

The Forecast Quick Picks feature instantly presents the most frequently accessed data in the most common categories such as construction investment, employment and the economy.

TOP PRINT

Manitoba Poised for a Record Expansion in Construction Sector

June 21, 2007

WINNIPEG – Manitoba is on the brink of a 10-year increase in construction activity says a new report released today by the Construction Sector Council (CSC).

According to the CSC’s third annual edition of “Construction Looking Forward: Labour Requirements from 2007 to 2015 for Manitoba,’’ construction activity will continue to climb at a steady pace until 2015, enabling the sector to plan effectively for the increased need for labour.

“These forecasts are an important tool for our industry to effectively plan for their workforce requirements for the next several years,” said John Bockstael, Vice-President of Bockstael Construction and President, Winnipeg Construction Association. “With input from stakeholders from across the province, this report has the most up to date, practical information for this sector.”

Manitoba’s steady rise in construction activity is unique to the rest of Canada, says the CSC report. Projections for most provinces show periods of cyclical declines over several years but in Manitoba construction will experience continued moderate growth across the entire forecast period - a unique expansion across Canadian provinces.

The report notes that 18 percent or 4,000 of the province’s construction work force will be needed to replace retirees. Another 4,200 workers will be needed to meet new construction demand over the forecast period.

David Martin, Executive Director, Manitoba Building and Construction Trades Council and a member of CSC’s Board of Directors notes that "we will use all options available to us to meet the expanding workforce needs, including mobility of workers and linking unemployed workers in other provinces to opportunities in Manitoba, to ensure that contractors have the skilled labour they require."’

“This forecast helps industry, especially multi-year projects like the floodway, prepare for future labour challenges within the construction industry,’’ adds Ernie Gilroy, Chief Executive Officer of the Manitoba Floodway Authority. “Data in the report enables industry to plan and identify strategies to attract and retain workers for the benefit of workers, employers and the economy."

The report also states that the next several years will be steady in terms of growth, but activity will shift among the various sectors. From now through to 2009, the engineering sector will be tight, at which point construction activity will spread to the commercial, industrial and residential sectors.

“The increasing need for more construction workers in Manitoba and across Canada compels industry and governments to target their efforts to ensure all potential workers, including Aboriginal peoples, women, youth, unemployed and underemployed workers and immigrant workers are part of a thoughtful and comprehensive solution,’’ says CSC Executive Director George Gritziotis.

A new feature to this year’s report allows stakeholders to perform customized data searches online. This tool will help individuals source the exact data that is relevant to their needs.

Construction Looking Forward forecasts for each province are being released in June. The National Summary will be unveiled at the end of this month.

The Construction Sector Council was established in 2001 as an independent labour/business partnership to address the workforce needs of the construction industry. The CSC is a neutral forum that brings together stakeholders to provide data that industry can use to make critical planning decisions. CSC provides this data to industry who undertake their own analysis. Funding for this project was provided by the Government of Canada's Sector Council Program. The report is available on the CSC website at www.csc-ca.org.

MORE INFORMATION:
Dave Martin, Executive Director
Manitoba Building & Construction Trades Council
(204) 956-7425
david@mbctc.mb.ca

John Bockstael, Vice-President
Bockstael Construction and
President, Winnipeg Construction Association
(204) 233-7135
jbockstael@bockstael.com

Rosemary Sparks
Construction Sector Council
(613) 569-5552
sparks@csc-ca.org

TOP PRINT

New forecast says Ontario has the tools to meet rising demand for construction workers

June 19, 2007

THUNDER BAY – Ontario is well equipped to handle the need for more than 85,000 new construction workers during the next nine years as detailed in the new forecast released today by the Construction Sector Council (CSC).

Construction Looking Forward: Labour Requirements from 2007 to 2015 for Ontario, says the province’s construction industry will need 50,000 workers to replace retirees and another 35,000 to keep pace with steady growth during the forecast period.

The report predicts average annual growth of 3% in the residential sector and 2% in the non-residential sector in the period leading up to 2015.

According to the forecast, attracting, recruiting and training the needed workforce at this pace will be a manageable challenge for employers, labour groups and training institutions. The report examines Ontario’s construction industry in five regions, Greater Toronto, Central, Northern, Eastern and the Southwest.

Construction Looking Forward: Labour Requirements from 2007 to 2015 for Ontario, says regional mobility within the province will help balance the need for workers but warns that Ontario’s labour markets could be disturbed in the short term as workers seek job opportunities in tighter labour markets, such as the Western provinces.

The CSC produced the forecast with input from all sectors of the construction industry and government through the region’s Labour Market Information (LMI) Committee.

Construction Looking Forward forecasts will be released for each province over the coming weeks.

Ron McGillis, Manager - Safety, Compliance & Contractor Quality, Ontario Power Generation and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Construction User Council says, “The Ontario report, which looks at factors that affect labour requirements – such as investment and retirement rates – gives industry leaders the insight needed to achieve continued prosperity in the Ontario construction industry.”

"The LMI report helps us project opportunities for attracting Canadian youth, unemployed and displaced workers from other sectors into the construction industry so we can meet the needs of Ontario's economy," said Patrick Dillon, Business Manager and Secretary Treasurer, Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario and a member of CSC’s Board of Directors.

“With housing starts expected to remain above long term averages and home renovations in Ontario expected to rise steadily during the forecast period, the housing industry must make recruitment and training a priority,” says Brian Johnston, President, Ontario Home Builders’ Association. “The labour market information in this CSC forecast is critical for our planning as we develop programs that are specific to our sector.”

“The increasing need for more construction workers in Ontario and across Canada compels industry and governments to target their efforts to ensure all potential workers, including Aboriginal peoples, women, youth, unemployed and underemployed workers and immigrant workers are part of a thoughtful and comprehensive solution,’’ says CSC Executive Director George Gritziotis.

A new feature to this year’s Construction Looking Forward report allows stakeholders to perform customized data searches online. This tool will help individuals source out the exact data that is relevant to their needs.

The Construction Sector Council was established in 2001 as an independent labour/business partnership to address the workforce needs of the construction industry. The CSC is a neutral forum that brings together stakeholders to provide data that industry can use to make critical planning decisions. CSC provides this data to industry who undertake their own analysis. The Government of Canada’s Sector Council Program provided funding for this project.

The report is available on the CSC website at www.csc-ca.org.

MORE INFORMATION:
Patrick Dillon, Business Manager and Secretary Treasurer
Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario
Tel (416) 679-8887
Cell (416) 347-8245
patrick@ontariobuildingtrades.com

Ron Martin, Executive Director
Sudbury Construction Association
(705) 673-5619
martin@constructionnorth.com

Rosemary Sparks
Construction Sector Council
(613) 569-5552
sparks@csc-ca.org

TOP PRINT

B.C. Construction Boom Likely to Continue for Next Several Years

June 13, 2007

VANCOUVER – British Columbia’s construction sector is employing a record high number of people, and it isn’t going to decline anytime soon.

This and other forecast details were released today in The Construction Sector Council’s (CSC) third annual edition of Construction Looking Forward: Labour Requirements from 2007 to 2015 for British Columbia.

The forecast indicates that major construction projects will continue to flow into the province for the next couple of years, causing increased growth in construction employment and increased demand on the labour market. A decline in construction activity is forecasted for late 2009, which will ease labour markets back to a more manageable state, although they will remain above 2006 levels.

“The tight markets across Canada now and over the next few years compel industry and governments to target their efforts to ensure all potential workers, including Aboriginal peoples, women, youth, unemployed and underemployed workers and immigrant workers are part of a thoughtful and comprehensive solution,” says George Gritziotis, Executive Director of the Construction Sector Council.

The CSC developed Construction Looking Forward with input from BC’s Labour Market Information (LMI) committee that includes stakeholders from all sectors of the construction industry. The forecast is a tool to help industry stakeholders manage risk and plan for the future.

“This report is very important for the construction industry in British Columbia,” says Manley McLachlan, President of the British Columbia Construction Association. “By combining economic projections with the list of planned construction projects on the horizon, it gives industry stakeholders information to make knowledgeable decisions about their sector, the future and how they plan and manage risk for their businesses over the next several years.”

“The huge boom in construction right now in the province requires that we all ensure programs are in place to meet the increased demand for qualified workers who can continue to operate safely on our worksites,” says Wayne Peppard, Executive Director of the BC Yukon and Territory Building and Construction Trades Council.

M.J. Whitemarsh, CEO of Canadian Home Builders’ Association of British Columbia says, “The labour market information is critical for our planning as we continue to develop data that is more specific to our sector.”

Construction Looking Forward forecasts will be released for each province over the coming weeks.

A new feature to this year’s Construction Looking Forward allows stakeholders to perform customized data searches online. This tool will help individuals source out the exact data that is relevant to their needs.

The Construction Sector Council’s BC LMI Committee is a multi-stakeholder committee representing the key organizations for the construction sector in British Columbia. With funding support from HRSDC and Service Canada, the committee provides industry input into the forecast and also undertakes research projects that help the industry plan strategies to address current and future human resource challenges.

The Construction Sector Council was established in 2001 as an independent labour/business partnership to address the workforce needs of the construction industry. The CSC is a neutral forum that brings together stakeholders to provide data that industry can use to make critical planning decisions. CSC provides this data to industry who undertake their own analysis. The Government of Canada’s Sector Council Program provided funding for this project. The report is available on the CSC website at www.csc-ca.org.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Tanya Volk
Karyo Edelman
(604)623-3007
tanya.volk@karyo-edelman.com

Rosemary Sparks
Construction Sector Council
(613) 569-5552
sparks@csc-ca.org

INDUSTRY CONTACTS:
Manley McLachlan, President
BC Construction Association
(250) 475-1077

Wayne Peppard, Executive Director
BC Yukon and Territory Building and Construction Trades Council
(604) 291-9020

M.J. Whitemarsh, CEO
Canadian Home Builders’ Association of British Columbia
(604) 432-7112

TOP PRINT

Reports Highlight Need for Immediate Training and Retention to Meet Atlantic Canada Future Construction Needs

June 13, 2007

HALIFAX – A new report released today assessing Atlantic Canada’s construction industry reveals the need for immediate attention to recruitment and retention to ensure a skilled workforce for upcoming projects.

The Construction Sector Council’s (CSC) third annual edition of ‘Construction Looking Forward: Labour Requirements from 2007 to 2015 for Atlantic Canada’ states that although the labour pool is currently stable, both employers and government have to adapt training and recruitment efforts to meet future demand.

“Atlantic Canada’s construction sector has enjoyed a relatively stable supply of workers for sometime now,” said Tim Flood, President of John Flood and Sons (1961) Ltd., and the Business Co-Chair of the CSC’s Board of Directors. “But this report raises the concern about the industry’s aging workforce where a lot of workers are expected to retire soon. The new entrants may fall short of the number needed to supply upcoming construction projects and our sector needs to change the way we attract new people to fulfill the coming demand.”

The CSC produced the forecast with input from all sectors of the construction industry and government through the region’s Labour Market Information (LMI) Committee. The forecast suggests that although the industry is plateauing right now, by 2011 there will be an upturn in housing construction in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island that may limit the availability of housing-related trades. Factors such as changing demographics in New Brunswick and a lagging population increase in Newfoundland further impact the size of the available construction workforce.

Steve Graves, President, Mainland Nova Scotia Building and Construction Trades and a CSC Board Director, stresses the significance of the forecast, “We need to put programs in place to meet the increased demand that’s coming for qualified workers who can continue to operate safely on our worksites.”

Construction Looking Forward forecasts will be released for each province over the coming weeks. George Gritziotis, Executive Director of the CSC says, “The tight markets across Canada compel industry and governments to target their efforts to ensure all potential workers, including Aboriginal peoples, women, youth, unemployed and underemployed workers and immigrant workers are all part of a thoughtful and comprehensive solution.”

The Construction Looking Forward base case report did not include a number of major projects due to their uncertainty. However, their realization could create significant challenges for the construction industry in the absence of strategic planning. In response, the Nova Scotia Department of Education funded the development of the Major Projects Investment Scenario to broaden its understanding of the potential impact these additional projects might have on the requirements for skilled trades workers in the Atlantic region.

The results of this further analysis are published under a separate report, “Atlantic Major Projects Investment Scenario: Labour Requirements from 2007 to 2015.” It reveals that at peak construction in 2010, an additional 10,600 construction workers will be required to meet the needs resulting from increased construction activity.

Over the forecast period, boilermakers, pipefitters, crane operators, construction millwrights, heavy equipment operators and welders show the largest increase in demand.

A new feature to this year’s Construction Looking Forward report allows stakeholders to perform customized data searches online. This tool will help individuals source out the exact data that is relevant to their particular needs.

The Construction Sector Council was established in 2001 as an independent labour/business partnership to address the workforce needs of the construction industry. The CSC is a neutral forum that brings together stakeholders to provide data that industry can use to make critical planning decisions. CSC provides this data to industry who undertake their own analysis. The Government of Canada’s Sector Council Program provided funding for this project. The report is available on the CSC website at www.csc-ca.org.

MORE INFORMATION:
Carol McCulloch, President
Construction Association of Nova Scotia
(902) 468-2267
cmacculloch@cans.ns.ca

Rosemary Sparks
Construction Sector Council
(613) 569-5552
sparks@csc-ca.org

TOP PRINT

Report sheds light on future of construction in Saskatchewan

May 31, 2007

REGINA – A new construction forecast released today is giving Saskatchewan industry leaders a snapshot of what the future market holds and where they’ll be able to find their workforce.

The Construction Sector Council’s (CSC) third annual edition of “Construction Looking Forward: Labour Requirements from 2007 to 2015 for Saskatchewan” sheds light on current labour market trends and offers projections for the future. By examining labour market trends from the recent past, the report offers insight on what the future challenges are in store for the industry.

"Although Saskatchewan is in the middle of a record building boom, we know that the future labour pool might not be large enough to satisfy that demand.” said Paul McLellan, President of Alliance Energy Ltd. and a member of the CSC’s Board of Directors. “The information in this forecast is invaluable for the Saskatchewan construction sector to be able to plan effectively for those fluctuations that are coming.” He highlights the importance of this document as a planning tool for the construction industry. “This forecast has been assembled with input from all segments of the construction industry. The information is reflective of the current situation in Saskatchewan, as well as what the future holds.”

The importance of this year’s forecast was echoed by Terry Parker, Business Manager of the Saskatchewan Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council. He says, "With the knowledge that there are going to be some upcoming demographic shifts in the workforce, we’re planning ahead now to recruit and train qualified replacements.”

The report notes that in addition to a shifting workforce, factors such as strong local economic conditions and extensive building activity in other provinces will impact the available workforce for Saskatchewan. It also states that recruiting for the industrial and engineering construction trades may prove to be the most challenging.

“We now know that there will be strong competition among the companies for the available skilled workforce,” said Bob Turczyn, Construction Supervisor at SaskPower. “With big projects coming down the pipe, resources are going to be limited and wQe will need to change the way we attract new workers to this industry, starting now.”

Paul Caton, Senior Market Analyst for Saskatchewan, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, cites the forecast as a helpful tool to help monitor labour market conditions. “The housing segment is going through an upswing right now, which is putting a strain on the available workforce for selected trades. The CSC’s outlook calls for conditions in the residential market to slow over the medium term to 2011 before growth resumes later in the forecast.”

A new feature to this year’s report allows stakeholders to perform customized data searches online. This tool will help individuals source out the exact data that is relevant to their particular segment’s needs.

Construction Looking Forward forecasts will be released for each province over the coming weeks.

The Construction Sector Council was established in 2001 as an independent labour/business partnership to address the workforce needs of the construction industry. The CSC is a neutral forum that brings together stakeholders to provide data that industry can use to make critical planning decisions. CSC provides this data to industry who undertake their own analysis. Funding for this project was provided by the Government of Canada's Sector Council Program. The report is available on the CSC website at www.csc-ca.org.

MORE INFORMATION:
Michael Fougere
Saskatchewan Construction Association
(306) 539-8454
michaelf@scaonline.ca

Rosemary Sparks
Construction Sector Council
(613) 569-5552
sparks@csc-ca.org

TOP PRINT

Labour forecast helps construction industry meet resource-boom demands

May 30, 2007

EDMONTON – A new construction forecast for Alberta is giving industry leaders a “heads up” as to when and where more training programs and increased recruitment efforts that include workers from other provinces will be needed to meet demand.

Details leading to these and other trade-shortage symptoms are spelled out in the Construction Sector Council’s (CSC) just-released forecast report – Construction Looking Forward: Labour Requirements from 2007 to 2015 for Alberta.

“Alberta’s construction industry is a job magnet and the local workforce is clearly not large enough,” says Neil Tidsbury, President of Construction Labour Relations of Alberta, and a member of the CSC’s Board of Directors. “But the industry can rise to the challenge, thanks in part to this forecast that allows us to plan ahead,” he says. Mr. Tidsbury says a new feature this year that allows stakeholders to perform customized data searches online means the report will be more widely used than ever by industry and government decision makers.

The forecast is based on a model pioneered by the Construction Owners Association of Alberta. After combining economic projections and compiling an inventory of major projects, it ranks market conditions for more than 30 trades and occupations.

As the Manager of one of the province’s main employers, Syncrude, Gary Mullaly says “we will be turning up the heat on recruiting and training programs to keep projects on time and on budget, especially from now until 2010 as the resource boom causes very tight markets for some trades.”

"The forecast highlights the need for proper recruiting methods, safety and other training when meeting our commitment to supply qualified tradespeople," says Ron Harry of the Alberta Building Trades Council. "We will not compromise safety and training at any level just to say we were able to supply workers."

Grant Ainsley, Executive Officer of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Alberta says “these forecasts are unique because all sectors of the construction industry are involved in validating the data, including the residential sector.” He adds that “they will go a long way to help the residential sector plan for future workforce requirements.”

CSC Executive Director George Gritziotis says Construction Looking Forward forecasts, which will be released for each province over the coming weeks, are unique because all sectors of the construction industry are involved in compiling the data. “That process speaks to their accuracy and reliability as a tool,” he says, “and it keeps all players on the same page when it comes to what the future holds”.

The Construction Sector Council was established in 2001 as an independent labour/business partnership to address the workforce needs of the construction industry. The CSC is a neutral forum that brings together stakeholders to provide data that industry can use to make critical planning decisions. CSC provides this data to industry who undertake their own analysis. Funding for this project was provided by the Government of Canada’s Sector Council Program. The report is available on the CSC website at www.csc-ca.org.

MORE INFORMATION:
Herb Holmes
Construction Labour Relations – Alberta
Tel: (780) 451-5444
herb@clra.org;

Grant Ainsley
Canadian Alberta Home Builders’ Association – Alberta
Tel: (780) 424-5890
grant@chbaalberta.ca

Rosemary Sparks
Construction Sector Council
(613) 569-5552
sparks@csc-ca.org

TOP PRINT

Australia and Canada sign agreement that will benefit both Economies

February 5, 2007

CANBERRA – Australia’s construction industry is going global by working with its Canadian counterparts to share approaches on predicting construction labour needs and addressing skilled trade shortages. The move will benefit the Australian and Canadian economies and has been welcomed by the Governments of both countries.

“Innovative approaches to predicting labour requirements and developing targeted labour market solutions will be shared with a view to improving both industries,” said Peter Verwer, Chair of Australia’s Construction Forecasting Council (CFC) - www.cfc.acif.com.au.

“The ability to predict when and where 32 trades and occupations will be available over the next nine years provides a world class model” said Neil Marshall, Chairman of the Australian Construction Industry Forum, which oversees the CFC. “We are also impressed by the Canadian Construction Sector Council’s consultation process with industry leaders from each sector and region of the country, and with the research on labour market issues, such as the future of mobile workers”.

ACIF oversees and manages the Australian Construction Forecasting Council. Its mission is to create a competitive construction and property industry that is a leader in building a prosperous Australian nation. Membership is open to any Australian building or construction industry association with a national structure and focus.

The Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP has welcomed the move, saying, “This new agreement will help the Australian construction industry prepare for future labour needs. A lot of effort went into producing construction forecasts in both Australia and Canada and they will prove a valuable tool for the industry in our two countries. It is important that these construction forecasts are used in conjunction with forecasts on labour requirements that will allow industry and the training sector to respond to these needs in a timely manner.”

OTTAWA – In launching the aqreement with the His Excellency William Fisher, the Australian High Commissioner in Canada, The Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, said “In both countries, the construction sector is an important contributor to the economy and this agreement provides an excellent opportunity to tackle human resources challenges and get skilled tradespeople into both the Canadian and Australian workforce, when and where they are needed.”

Australian High Commissioner Fisher agreed, “This historic industry-led agreement is an example of the key role that innovative approaches can play in international labour market issues. By sharing information, expertise and research, both economies will benefit.”

“The CSC’s Construction Looking Forward reports are certainly a hit here and we are proud that our forecasting work is gaining international recognition,” said George Gritziotis, Executive Director of the Construction Sector Council. The CSC is now in the third year of producing a construction labour requirements forecast, widely used by industry and government decision makers in Canada.

The aim of a recent agreement signed by the CSC and the Australian Construction Industry Forum (ACIF) is to “support and enhance each organization’s ability to forecast construction investment activity, employment demand and supply in the residential and non-residential sectors.”

The CSC is a partnership between business, labour and government with financial support from both industry and government. Established in 2001 to address the workforce needs of the construction industry, the CSC brings together stakeholders to provide data that industry can use to make critical decisions.

Funding for the CSC is being provided by the Government of Canada’s Sector Council Program.

Synopsis
The Construction Sector Council’s Construction Looking Forward forecast reports, which are valued as a planning tool by decision makers in the Canadian construction industry, have gained international recognition. The CSC has recently signed an agreement with its Australian counterparts to share information on labour forecasting and recruitment practices. The agreement with the Australian Construction Industry Forum will see each country share best practices to refine forecasting abilities and improve solutions to human resource challenges in the construction industry.

For further comment:
Peter Verwer
Chief Executive
Property Council of Australia
0407 463 842
02 9033 1920

TOP PRINT

Canada's New Government announces agreement with Australia to benefit construction sector

January 25, 2007

OTTAWA – The Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, joined by the Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency William Fisher (left), and Mr. George Gritziotis, Executive Director of the Construction Sector Council (right), announce the new agreement between the Australian and Canadian construction industries.

OTTAWA, ONTARIO — The Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, and His Excellency William Fisher, Australian High Commissioner, today announced a partnership agreement between the Construction Sector Council of Canada (CSC) and the Australian Construction Industry Forum that will help to address labour market issues in the construction industry.

"This industry partnership is the first of its kind and Canada's New Government is pleased to provide support through funding to the Sector Council Program," said Minister Solberg. "The construction sector is an important contributor to the economy in both Canada and Australia and this agreement provides an excellent opportunity to tackle human resources challenges and get skilled tradespeople into both the Canadian and Australian work force, when and where they are needed."

The aim of the partnership agreement is to support and enhance each organization's ability to forecast construction investment activity, employment demand and supply in the residential and non-residential sectors. The agreement will enable the construction industry in both countries to share approaches and best practices in predicting labour needs and addressing skilled trade shortages

"This historic industry-led agreement is an example of the key role that innovative approaches can play in international labour market issues," said High Commissioner Fisher. "By sharing information, expertise and research, both economies will benefit."

The CSC's approach on predicting construction labour market needs and addressing skilled trades shortages, through its labour market forecasting model, will be shared with Australia. The two organizations will also explore opportunities to work collaboratively on areas of common interest.

"We are pleased to have the Government of Canada's support in developing and promoting our top-notch forecasting system," says Timothy Flood, Construction Sector Council Business Co-chair and President of John Flood and Sons Limited." The CSC's Construction Looking Forward forecasting reports are certainly a hit here, and we are proud of the international recognition they have gained."

"The ability to predict when and where 32 trades and occupations will be available over the next nine years provides a world-class model," said Neil Marshall, Chairman of the Australian Construction Industry Forum. "We are also impressed by the CSC's consultation process with industry leaders from each sector and region of the country, and with the research on labour market issues, such as the future of mobile workers."

The CSC was established in 2001 to address the work force needs of the construction industry by bringing together stakeholders to provide data that industry can use to make critical decisions. Funding for the CSC is being provided by the Government of Canada's Sector Council Program.

Sector councils are designed to meet emerging skills requirements, address skills and labour shortages, and build essential skills in the workplace as a foundation for continuous learning. They are organizations that bring together governments, business, and labour and educational stakeholders in key sectors to share ideas, concerns, and perspectives about human resources and skills issues. Their goal is to find solutions that benefit the sector in a collective, collaborative, and sustained manner.
Sector councils play a vital role in helping to strengthen the Canadian labour market, thereby contributing to the productivity and competitiveness of the Canadian economy and the standard of living of all Canadians.

For more information (media only):
Lesley Harmer
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Monte Solberg
819-994-2482

Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559

George Gritziotis
Executive Director
Construction Sector Council
613-569-5552

Peter Verwer
Chief Executive
Property Council of Australia
0407 463 842
02 9033 1920

Katie Martin
Australian High Commission
613-783-7608

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Construction Industry Forecasting Tool Goes Global

Canada and Australia sign agreement that will benefit both Economies

January 25, 2007

OTTAWA – Canada’s construction industry is going global by working with its Australian counterparts to share approaches on predicting construction labour needs and addressing skilled trade shortages.

“Both countries have dynamic construction industries that help drive their respective economies and we have a lot to learn from each other on how to keep doing that,” says Robert Blakely, Construction Sector Council (CSC) Labour Co-chair and Director of Canadian Affairs for the Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL – CIO. The CSC is now in the third year of producing a construction labour requirements forecast, widely used by industry and government decision makers in Canada.

“While we each have booming construction markets, we are also dealing with similar human resources challenges,” he says, “such as skilled trade shortages and aging populations.”

“The CSC’s Construction Looking Forward reports are certainly a hit here and we are proud that our forecasting work is gaining international recognition,” says Timothy Flood, Construction Sector Council Business Co-chair and President of John Flood and Sons Ltd.

The aim of a recent agreement signed by the CSC and the Australian Construction Industry Forum (ACIF) is to “support and enhance each organization’s ability to forecast construction investment activity, employment demand and supply in the residential and non-residential sectors.”

“Innovative approaches to predicting labour requirements and developing targeted labour market solutions will be shared with a view to improving both industries,” says Peter Verwer, Chair of Australia’s Construction Forecasting Council (CFC) - www.cfc.acif.com.au.

Neil Marshall, Chairman of the Australian Construction Industry Forum, which oversees the CFC, is particularly interested in the level of detail in the CSC forecasts.

“The ability to predict when and where 32 trades and occupations will be available over the next nine years provides a world class model” says Marshall.

“We are also impressed by the CSC’s consultation process with industry leaders from each sector and region of the country, and with the research on labour market issues, such as the future of mobile workers,” says Mr. Marshall.

ACIF oversees and manages the Australian Construction Forecasting Council, and its mission is to create a competitive construction and property industry that is a leader in building a prosperous Australian nation. Membership is open to any Australian building or construction industry association with a national structure and focus.

The CSC is a partnership between business, labour and government with financial support from both industry and government. Established in 2001 to address the workforce needs of the construction industry, the CSC brings together stakeholders to provide data that industry can use to make critical decisions.

Funding for the CSC is being provided by the Government of Canada’s Sector Council Program.

For more information on this and other CSC programs visit www.csc-ca.org.

Synopsis
The Construction Sector Council’s Construction Looking Forward forecast reports, which are valued as a planning tool by decision makers in the Canadian construction industry, have gained international recognition. The CSC has recently signed an agreement with its Australian counterparts to share information on labour forecasting and recruitment practices. The agreement with the Australian Construction Industry Forum will see each country share best practices to refine forecasting abilities and improve solutions to human resource challenges in the construction industry.

For further comment:
Peter Verwer
Chief Executive
Property Council of Australia
0407 463 842
02 9033 1920

George Gritziotis
Executive Director
Construction Sector Council
613-569-5552

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