One-quarter of workers set to retire over next 10 years
Employers in the construction industry have a new tool to help recruit immigrant workers as the traditional construction workforce shrinks. The Construction Sector Council (CSC) has introduced the Construction Employer's Roadmap to help industry leaders connect with immigrant workers to meet growing labour needs.
"The industry is growing steadily but, over the next decade, construction will lose a quarter of its workforce thanks to retirements," said CSC executive director George Gritziotis, pointing to the organization's latest forecast reports.
"Though a growing labour pool of skilled immigrant workers are available to help replenish the workforce, recruiting and retaining these workers is sometimes a challenge for employers," he said.
The guidebook is geared to helping employers and others involved in HR management navigate government programs, assess foreign credentials and help immigrant workers put their best foot forward when seeking opportunities to work in construction.
Construction Employer's Roadmap provides employers with information on the role of employment agencies and immigration consultants, and provides an overview of Canada's immigration programs and the different paths open to permanent residents, temporary residents and workers outside of Canada. The roadmap offers advice on how to assess experience obtained in other countries, make job offers, develop orientation programs and retain workers.
Funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the booklet is available in hard copy and electronically with hyperlinks to other resources and websites.
"The Government of Canada is proud to support the work of the Construction Sector Council as we know that, within the next few years, most of Canada's labour force growth will come from immigration," said Jason Kenney, minister of immigration, citizenship and multiculturalism. "Attracting and retaining the best international talent to address existing and future labour market challenges is critical to our economic success."
The new tool can be found at www.csc-ca.org.
