Demand exceeds supply for skilled labour - By Brittany Jayde Blackwell, Meadow Lake Progres, Saskatchewan
Michael Fougere, president of the Saskatchewan Construction Association (SCA), and one of the co-authors says it was commissioned to specifically to address the skilled labour shortage and find viable solutions.
“The shortage is slowing our economy down and will cause a huge problem for us in the future,” he forewarns, explaining that the SCA is presently working with the province to make its training system more responsive to trainees and also increase the investment in training space capacity to accommodate more trades people.
Ken McKinlay, executive director of the Saskatchewan Home Builder’s Association says there’s a tremendous need within the construction industry for skilled labour. The residential sector is the most affected as framers and concrete formers are in short supply.