More workers are needed in Nanaimo and across the province due to a steady boom in the construction field. (NeedPix.com)

By Kyle Ireland

BOOMING BUILDS

Nanaimo construction industry faces labour shortage as demand skyrockets

Nov 3, 2019 | 5:21 AM

NANAIMO — Central Vancouver Island is struggling to keep up with a boom in the construction industry, thanks to a lack of skilled labour.

Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA) CEO Rory Kulmala said there is a shortage of about 7,000-10,000 skilled workers.

“We have people retiring, people leaving for other provinces,” Kulmala said. “We’re not seeing the same number of people coming in and we could use more young people joining the trade.”

More than 236,000 people in the province rely on construction for a pay cheque, up 17 per cent since 2014.

“I tell people if you want to work in construction on the Island, you can get a job, it’s just a question if its something you want to pursue.”

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Kulmala added they actively try and recruit people to the industry through conferences and trade shows, however the impacts of those efforts don’t solve the immediate need.

Nanaimo continues to see a low vacancy rate of available housing, something Kulmala said is a key factor in the boom.

Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) reported in 2018 the vacancy rate in Nanaimo was 2.5 per cent, down from 4.4 per cent in 2014.

“We still have a strong migration which is driving the need for construction of single and multi-family dwellings.”

In October 2019, the average single family home in Nanaimo cost $559,500, up one per cent from September.

Kyle.Ireland@jpbg.ca

@kyle_ireland31