Labour Supply Still Top Issue Even As Trades Diversify and Offer Greater Stability, Earnings
CHRIS ATCHISON
BRITISH COLUMBIA – The findings of the annual BC Construction Association (BCCA) Industry Survey highlight the key issues facing employers and workers during a period of heightened construction activity. The industry is experiencing a 79 per cent increase in the value of current projects from five years ago, and a 17 per cent increase from pre-pandemic levels, even as labour shortages continue, and cost of goods are at all-time highs.
Despite an increase in project spending to $134BN and a sustained increase in the number of construction companies in BC (now at 26,262), the number of employees in the industry has dropped across all trend milestones: a 2 per cent decrease year-over-year, a 9 per cent decrease compared to pre-pandemic (2019) levels, and a 5 per cent decrease against the five-year marker. The average company size has decreased 7 per cent over the last five years to an average of 6.53 workers. Approximately 90 per cent of companies in the industry employ less than 20 workers.
In answer, annual construction wages have seen a significant rise of 14 per cent since 2015 to $66,591, reflecting an 8 per cent increase since pre-pandemic levels alone. Nearly 100 per cent of workers are working full time, 84 per cent year-round, and half are earning a higher wage than last year. Nearly 37 per cent of the survey respondents report taking a new job for more pay this year, and 41 per cent have worked for 2 or more employers.
Workers are also getting more skilled, with 76 per cent of survey respondents reporting they are fully credentialed and 12 per cent working on their ticket. More women are receiving subsidized training and mentorship than men, and the number of companies with diversity policies in place has risen to 84 per cent from 62 per cent just a few years ago.
The construction industry’s contribution to BC’s GDP is up a whopping 22 per cent, growing from $18.8BN in 2017 to $23BN today, and it remains the #1 employer in BC’s goods sector, with 215,133 British Columbians relying directly on construction for a paycheque. That’s down 2 per cent since 2017, but still larger than any other goods-producing sector.
“Construction is an essential and highly dynamic industry that is affected by events next door and around the world” says Chris Atchison, BCCA President. “Whether its pandemic, floods, fires, war, supply chain, or government policy, our industry adapts to reflect those challenges. With the unprecedented commitment of tax dollars to infrastructure spending and a boom in large private projects, employers are looking for leadership from government on two major issues that will improve industry conditions for all contractors and workers regardless of labour affiliation: prompt payment legislation and mandatory public sector procurement best practices.”
At least 17 per cent of the projected skills gap has been filled by tradeswomen, who are now 5.7 per cent of the skilled workforce and 5.5x more likely to recommend the trades as a career path. A disturbing trend is a steep decrease in the likelihood to recommend construction as a career path, citing key operations issues.
Contractors are less likely to bid on public sector projects even as the province announces record-level spending, with 20 per cent of respondents reporting they are less likely to bid on taxpayer funded projects.
More information regarding the value of the construction industry to BC’s economy can be found in the Spring 2022 Stat Pack. (https://bccassn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/BCCA-Stat-Pack-Spring-2022-Final.pdf)
The fresh Industry Survey Results, including a special focus on Wages and Salaries this year, can be found here. (https://bccassn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/2022-BC-Construction-Industry-Survey-FINAL.pdf)
KEY BC CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY STATISTICS:
- Construction is the No. 1 employer in B.C.’s goods sector
- BC’s construction industry accounts for 9.3% ($23B) of the province’s GDP
- More than 215,000 people rely directly on BC’s Construction industry for a paycheque. That’s 8% of the workforce (More than any other goods producing sector, and bigger than forestry, mining, agriculture and fishing combined.) (5-year trend: Down 5%)
- Number of credentialed tradespeople: 171,470
- Roughly 85% of construction workers are non-union
- Number of credentialed tradeswomen: 9,774 (5.70%)
- Number of construction companies in BC: 26,262 (5-year trend: Up 11%)
- Average yearly wage of BC construction employees: $66,591 ($14B cumulative yearly wage)
- Value of proposed construction projects in British Columbia: $226 billion
- Estimated value of current major construction projects underway in BC: $134 billion (5-year trend: Up 79%)
- Number of construction jobs in BC that will be unfilled due to labour shortages by 2027: 5,653
Details regarding data sources and calculations can be found here. (https://bccassn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/BC-Construction-Industry-Statistics-Spring-2022-FINAL.pdf)
