By Cheryl Jahn

Northern contractors bullish on 2019

Feb 14, 2019 | 12:43 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – A recent survey of a thousand contractors by the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association has found that 64% of companies in Northern BC believe they will see an increase in work this year. That is compared to 54% in the Lower Mainland, 37% in the Interior and 29% on Vancouver Island.

Construction in BC now employs 250,000 people and contributes almost nine percent to the provincial GDP.

But, an increase in jobs also leads to a shortage of workers. The survey found that 68% of employers in Northern BC can’t find the workers they need. That’s down from 80% in 2018. In the Lower Mainland and the Interior, that number of 78%, while the situation is more acute on Vancouver Island where 82% of employers can’t find workers.

“So companies are having to, potentially, turn down work, projects are getting delayed and looking at innovative ways to recruit employees,” explains Mike Davis, the Vice President of Regional Initiatives.

It’s also forcing employers to, in some cases, pay higher wages to lure workers. The ICBA says the survey indicates employers plan to give their workers a 4.8% raise this year and another 5.3% increase next year.

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The most challenged trades are glaziers (88%), sprinkler fitters (88%), sheet metal workers (76%), steel fabricators (75%), framers (75%), roofers (75%), carpenters (73%) and concrete finishers (73%).