By / Jessica Kirby, Editor, Sheet Metal Journal
Moving into summer time, the construction industry is looking healthy, but the labour market is not. The labour shortage that took off during the pandemic is far from over, says Statistics Canada, which reports 915,500 unfilled positions in the fourth quarter of 2021. That’s up by 63 per cent compared to 2020. Jobs are also staying vacant for longer, with almost half of vacancies remaining unfilled for 60 days—only 36 per cent of job openings stayed vacant for that long two years ago.
An aging population and a reduction in immigration because of the pandemic have fuelled an already dire situation economists have been talking about for years, and now experts say employers are simply going to have to lower their expectations if they want to keep busy.
In fact, a survey conducted in November and December of 2021 reported that of 510 Canadian decision makers, one in four have hired someone they normally wouldn’t have due to a shortage in workers. The list of top ten industries to report exponential increases in job vacancies places construction in second place, just a sliver behind social service workers with a 158.4 per cent increase in job openings despite wages having risen 14.5 per cent over the past two years.
Although SMACNA contractors are experiencing the repercussions of this unprecedented time in history just like everybody else, the ability to offer excellent wages, room for growth, expert pay-to-learn training, and long-term security offer an advantage other industries don’t have. The ITA’s decision to bring back mandatory trades (including sheet metal worker) will certainly help steer potential workers in the right direction, and don’t forget about the well-established network BC’s signatory community has at its fingertips for training, job sharing, and recruitment initiatives.
This issue of Sheet Metal Journal profiles the excellence SMACNA contractors and suppliers acheived in partnership with Local 280 when they teamed up to build a new kitchen for Langley Meals on Wheels. It may not have been the largest job, but it took a lot of heart. Read all about it here.
More than 200 SMACNA members and their guests gathered in Kelowna for the 53rd Annual Convention, making it the highest attended SMACNA-BC Convention in history. Highlights included the wine tour, fun night, and dancing with the Paquettes—but don’t take my word for it. Check out the article for some great photos and circle May 4-7, 2023, on your calendar today for next year’s event.
After 24 years of service, SMACNA-BC Executive Director Bruce Sychuk is trading in his desk wear for more durable golf shoes. Find out what his friends and colleagues across North America think about his retirement, effective August 31, 2022 – click here.
Our profile this month is on KD Engineering—a company that broke ground in TAB and continues an important legacy today. As TAB expertise and training become more mainstream, the folks at KD Engineering are excited for the opportunities presented by a strong, new workforce. Learn more here.
I want to offer a big thanks to Bruce Sychuk for the guidance throughout the years. Sheet Metal Journal turns 15 this year, and it was my introduction to the sheet metal industry. Without Bruce there to answer my dumb questions, fill me in on union nuances, and teach me the importance of relationship building, I might still be slinging beer at the local pub (which is much less fun than drinking beer with sheet metal workers). We look forward to working with Jeremy Hallman as we move forward—watch for a profile in the Summer issue—and, as always, I welcome your feedback, ideas, and suggestions. ■
