July 2, 2008

Manitoba sees construction trades pinch ahead

WINNIPEG

The executive director of the Manitoba Building Trades Council says the province will need 10,000 additional skilled tradespeople to keep up with demand by 2016.

Dave Martin says new workers are needed both as additions to the workforce and replacements for retiring baby boomers.

Trades that are needed include boilermakers, carpenters, crane operators or heavy-duty equipment mechanics.

John Schubert, president of the Winnipeg Construction Association, says there is unprecedented activity in construction in Manitoba due to the floodway expansion, as well as the construction of pipelines and a new Manitoba Hydro building.

Red River College says it plans to expand from 8,000 full-time students to 12,000 in eight years.

As well, the college says it needs to increase the number of apprentices by 4,000, from the current 5,400.

“You gentlemen have a voracious demand for our graduates,” college president Jeff Zabudsky told construction industry representatives at a media event.

But Zabudsky said that even though the demand has been anticipated for years, the building of a new heavy equipment transportation centre is the first major construction on the campus since 1984. He also said the college is competing with industry for the teachers to train trades people.

He suggested the college and industry need to talk about sharing mature workers, who could teach and work part time.

Canadian Press

Print | Email | Comment