Island construction companies searching for workers amid boom
The Independent Contractors and Businesses Association is launching a social media campaign to attract construction workers for major projects on Vancouver Island.
Workers are being asked to submit resumés to the association’s website at www.icba.ca
“This is an opportune time for construction work on the Island and it doesn’t look like it will slow down any time soon,” John Knappett, head of Victoria’s Knappett Projects Inc., said in a statement.
“We want young people to know that if they are looking for a career in construction, there is no better time than now to get in.”
Philip Hochstein, ICBA president, said the organization’s Island members are increasing their crew sizes and are hiring.
“We haven’t seen a boom like this in a while,” said Hochstein.
The association said it has more than 60 members on Vancouver Island, working in residential, institutional, commercial, and industrial areas of construction.
A survey for the association predicts wages for trades workers will rise by about three per cent on the Island this year.
The construction sector is heating up throughout the Island and trades are in short supply.
Meanwhile, $191,000 in provincial funding is going to the B.C. Funeral Association to train 63 people in the funeral and embalmer sector. The province announced the funding through the Industry Training Authority on Friday.
Pacific Horticulture College is receiving $140,774 to train 48 horticulture technicians and landscape horticulturists.
B.C. puts more than $94 million annually into the Training Authority, which co-ordinates the skilled trades training system.
Shirley Bond, minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and minister responsible for Labour, said almost one million job openings are expected by 2025.
“That’s why these crucial investments targeting high-priority trades in our post-secondary institutions are essential. We need to ensure that we have the workforce necessary for our growing economy today and in the future,” Bond said.