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By rdnewsNOW Staff

strong growth

Construction industry leading province in employment growth, says GOA

Apr 9, 2024 | 12:48 PM

Officials say Alberta’s construction industry is leading the province in employment growth.

The province claims investment in the industry is forming the foundation of strong employment growth, with 12,767 more Albertans employed in the sector in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

Officials say the growth has been driven by an increase in building construction investment, and a healthy surge in housing starts in the last quarter of 2023 and into 2024.

They add Alberta’s growing population is also driving the trend. The province led Canada in population growth in the fourth quarter of 2023, increasing by 4.4 per cent from a year ago. International migration contributed two-thirds of the overall provincial population gains. This was also the sixth quarter in a row that Alberta had the highest net interprovincial migration in Canada, adding 9,913 new residents from other provinces and territories in the past three months.

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“The positive impacts of a growing population are being felt across our construction sector and I am excited to see this trend continue as even more skilled workers and talented professionals choose Alberta to put down roots,” said Matt Jones, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade.

According to a recent forecast from BuildForce Canada, Alberta’s residential and non-residential construction sectors are both projected to experience continued growth over the next decade, and total construction employment is expected to increase by another 14,000 workers between 2024 and 2033. The Alberta is Calling Attraction Bonus, introduced in the Financial Statutes Amendment Act, 2024, aims to ensure the province’s labour force keeps up with Alberta’s growing economy including in the skilled trades.

“The construction industry provides rewarding careers for Albertans and for those seeking to work and live in the province. The Alberta Construction Association is pleased to see the growth in projects, investment and especially people. We are encouraged by the programs put forward by the government to attract, train and retain skilled workers in our sector. With 23 per cent of workers expected to retire by 2033, continuing collaboration between the construction industry and government will be needed to meet increasing demand,” said Jason Portas, chair, Alberta Construction Association.

The Alberta government says they have have a sustainable plan for a growing province. Through Budget 2024, they say they are investing $25 billion over three years to build schools, hospitals and roads needed in communities.

The first quarter of 2024 also saw an increase of 89,100 employed Albertans in general, 3.7 per cent higher compared with the same quarter last year.

Over the past four years, officials say the labour market has been stabilizing with the unemployment rate remaining at 6.2 per cent during the first quarter of 2024 and job vacancies declining over the last six quarters.