Canadian construction industry looking overseas for skilled labour - workpermit.com UK
Labour shortages have resulted in construction workers being poached from rival companies and salaries are skyrocketing due to high demand. It is estimated that a further 20,000 skilled workers will be needed in the next three years to ensure that Olympic venues will be completed on time.
Companies are increasingly looking to recruit foreign skilled labour to fill these shortfalls in labour.
Construction companies want to hire qualified foreign workers on short-term visas, or sponsor them as skilled workers. Employers are trying, but say they need more help from the relevant government departments to bring workers into BC quickly.
Colin Hansen, Canada's Economic Development Minister, wants British Columbia to be granted a federal "memorandum of understanding," which would allow BC to recruit as many temporary foreign construction workers as needed. This measure has already been introduced for Toronto's construction sector and Alberta's oil industry.