B.C. hit with skills gap in construction - By Jason Kirby, Financial Post
To that end the province and industry have ramped up training programs and are trying to convince parents and students that a construction job doesn't mean 'being at the end of a shovel for 40 years,' said Mr. Sashaw. 'There are lots of opportunities for growth. It's certainly more attractive than four years of university and working as a barista.'
He said contractors are set to visit five trade shows in Europe in March in a bid to attract skilled workers under the provincial nominee program.
The industry is also in union negotiations, which are expected to lead to a long-term agreement, although Mr. Sashaw admitted only 25% of workers in Vancouver's construction sector belong to unions.