20,000 construction workers are missing in Quebec

The annual job and training fair dedicated exclusively to the construction industry opened Friday morning at Complexe Capitale Helicopter in Quebec City.

For this first edition, the Quebec Construction Association (ACQ) – Quebec region wants to introduce the general public to all trades and professions offered in the industry.

We know that this sector is strongly affected by the labor shortage in Quebec. It is estimated that there will be a shortfall of 20,000 workers a year in the province to meet the demand.

Diane Tremblay photo

Students from vocational training centers were expected to attend the first annual Job Building Fair of the ACQ-Quebec Region.

"You understand that the labor shortage in the construction industry is a concern for us. Quebec lives this shortage on a daily basis. Our city is in full swing. We currently have several large projects underway that require a lot of workers. I am thinking, among other things, of the Ice Center which is currently under construction in Sainte-Foy or, in my district, the Gabrielle-Roy library, which will undergo renovations of nearly $ 40 million, "said Pierre-Luc Lachance, municipal councilor for the Quebec city.

"In residential terms, there are also a lot of movements. Nearly 1,000 new homes were under construction in September. It's a lot of work and it takes workers to do them, "he added.

Record number of hours worked

According to Guillaume Houle, head of public affairs at ACQ, the industry is already running at full speed now.

"In 2019, we expect a record number of hours worked in the industry. About 180 million hours are expected, if the trend continues. The last record year was in 2012 with 165 million hours, "said Houle.

Diane Tremblay photo

On the picture from left to right were present: Mr. Guy Lepine, coordinator of the Chantier de l'emploi, M. Hugo Roy, Regional Director Services Quebec City of the National Capital, Mr. Pierre-Luc Lachance, Councilor (Saint-Roch-Saint-Sauveur) and Deputy Mayor for the Entrepreneurship Component, Mr. Daniel Plante, Chair of the Board of Directors from ACQ-Quebec Region and President of Daharpro Construction, Veronique Mercier, ACQ-Quebec Region General Manager, and Francis Roy, President of the Provincial ACQ and President of Groupe Humaco.

According to the analyzes carried out, the number of hours worked over the next few years will not fall by 168 million hours, even taking into account the anticipated slowdown in the economy.

"In the institutional and commercial sector, investments are at the rendezvous," he said.

The trades in which the greatest needs are noted, in terms of the number of workers, are bricklayers, painters, pipefitters, excavator operators, electricians and heavy equipment operators.

The living room

During the charm operation, which began Friday to publicize the construction trades, nearly a hundred employers are present, which goes beyond the expectations of Veronique Mercier, Executive Director of the ACQ -Quebec region, for a first edition.

Nearly 1000 students from vocational training centers are expected throughout the day on Friday to visit the various kiosks. Saturday will be more devoted to the general public.