Ontario's skilled labour crunch could worsen by 2029, says forecast: Construction group predicts shortfalls in several trades.

• Date: 01 March 2020

Ontario's construction sector will need almost 100,000 new workers over the next decade to keep pace with the rate of retirement in the industry.

A report by BuildForce Canada analyzed the volume of construction spending anticipated in Ontario between now and 2029 and concluded that the industry will need to hire, train and retain thousands across the board in several trades.

Over the decade, an estimated 86,300 workers (21 per cent) of the current labour force are expected to retire.

While the industry should be able to recruit 78,900 new entrants (aged 30 years and younger), the report said that still leaves a projected gap of some 21,800 positions that need to be filled.

BuildForce Canada just released its 2020-2029 Construction and Maintenance Looking Forward report for Ontario and all the provinces.

The national...