While Ontario's unemployment figures continues to worsen, there were new calls for action about a looming shortage of skilled workers in the construction sector Friday.
The fourth annual edition of Construction Looking Forward, a detailed forecast of labour market trends in Ontario by the Construction Sector Council, estimates 74,000 construction workers will be needed in Ontario in the coming years.
The Council estimates by 2016, as many as 17,600 new workers will be required to keep pace with new projects in addition to the 56,300 new workers needed to replace retiring baby boomers.
The numbers came on the same day that Statistics Canada released figures showing that Ontario lost more full-time jobs in June than any other region in Canada. In all, 45,500 Ontarians either lost their jobs or were put on part-time work in June.
"While there is some risk of an economic slowdown affecting Ontario, the level of growth for construction over the next eight years remain very positive," said Ron Martin, executive director of the Sudbury Construction Association, in a statement.
The Council said recent announcements of a nuclear reactor facility, the potential for a new oil refinery in southern Ontario, and increased infrastructure investment will generate added employment opportunities for Ontario workers.
With files from The Canadian Press
