The federal and provincial governments are pouring mega-dollars into trades training, but the construction industry’s real need is to find ways to draw in the individuals who are crucial to building Canada’s growing need for infrastructure, say industry leaders.
BC Construction Association president Chris Atchison wants to see more government-industry association connection, strategized spending and a realignment of immigrant policy with skills that will help Canada build.
In Alberta, CEO Scott Fash for BiLD Alberta, wants to see more federal funding incentives directed at helping apprentices complete their Red Seal certifications.
“Only 30 to 45 per cent of registered apprentices in construction trades go on to get their Red Seal,” he said, adding losing journeymen impacts the intake of new apprentices.
The Liberals have announced $6 billion nationwide to recruit, train and hire 80,000 to 100,000 new Red Seal trades workers in five years while the BC NDP is spending $241 million and Alberta $384 million, both over three years, on training.
Atchison said while the industry welcomes the focus on skills training, more than dollars are needed as Canada faces a major “challenge that lies ahead.”
“How can we attract more into the skilled trades pipeline?” said Atchison, as the looming question while construction demands grow.
The 2025 federal budget is looking at $1 trillion in investments to kick-start infrastructure projects while Canadian Municipalities maintains renewal and replacement of Canada massive infrastructure needs will cost close to $1 to $1.5 trillion.
But, even the addition of 20,000 new Red Seals annually for five years spread over 10 provinces offers only a thin bridge over a wide gap.
The BCCA estimates by 2030 there will be 26,800 B.C. job openings while currently it stands at 8,200 unfilled jobs. Aging demographics are widening the gap as 20 per cent of construction workers are 55 years plus.
“BCCA has been on the long-term strategy,” Atchison said, as it has actively promoted construction trade skills and supported secondary education. “The average wage in the construction industry is $85,000 – that’s far from minimum wage.”
The BCCA has programs like the , , Building Builders (a mentorship program), plus regional representatives that can put individuals in touch with companies wanting to hire individuals looking for apprenticeships. It has also launched Builders Life TalentCentral, a free site for job-seekers to link with employers.
But, it is only a start.
Statistics Canada figures for 2024/25 show B.C. had 57,000 high school graduates from all programs in private and public schools with half transiting immediately to post-secondary institutions.
Of the other half, Statistics Canada estimates another 30 per cent will later get institutional training or an apprenticeship.
Currently, B.C. has a total of 45,313 skilled apprentices, in all years of apprenticeship, and all sectors ranging from forestry to construction. No break-out figures for construction exist.
The BC Building Trades website claims 6,000 in apprenticeships and training programs. Its accumulative tally is only 10.5 per cent of one year of B.C. high school graduates.
Fash doesn’t believe the industry is getting the story out to graduates in Alberta either.
“There has never been a more attractive time to pursue a career,” he said. “A big part of that is doing a better job of outlining what these careers actually look like and the opportunities they can afford.”
A major component is educating parents, he said, adding his organization has been running a campaign () for the past year focused on exactly that issue.
“What we are emphasizing is that we cannot rely on the same recruitment that we have seen in the past,” Atchison said, adding, “we have to broaden our participation so others see themselves in the industry.”
He wants to see training dollars “strategically applied” to respond to a changing industry and entrants’ needs.
For women there is opportunity and the industry is working to ensure a culture that allows this underrepresented area to thrive, Atchison said.
BuildForce Canada estimates 14 per cent of the workforce is women, although only a small percentage work onsite.
But, figures have slipped; December 2025 annual statistics saw a decrease in women.
It found: “Employment among all females decreased by 23,700 workers, or 10.6 per cent, while employment among all males rose by 22,300 workers, or 1.6 per cent.”
Carpentry has the highest attrition rate – 70.8 per cent of women left within their first two years of apprenticeship (Statistics Canada, 2022).
“We have to work at keeping people there by positive workforce culture and opportunity pathways for them,” Atchison said. “That is where working with the employers and reforming the workforce to what is needed.”
High school graduates, women and Indigenous groups are all sectors that help the skilled shortage deficiency, he said, but don’t provide total resolution.
“We will still – by virtue of the aging demographics – need newcomers to help build this country,” Atchison said.
Immigration has been cut from 500,000 to 350,000. Atchison said the federal government needs to align incoming immigration with construction needs. In the past, the BCCA has played a role in credential recognition and placing new skilled workers with employers.
But, overall training of new apprentices also has to be more accommodating, ensuring institutions meet demand and individuals are not waitlisted for classroom time.
“When they are ready – we should be ready,” Atchison said.
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