It’s time to choose a career in the skilled trades

Here’s what the residential construction and professional renovation industry means to the City and people of Ottawa:

• Economic growth – $5 billion worth of economic activity yearly across the capital;
• Homes for our families – over 9,000 new homes in 2021; and
• Jobs – 43,000 on-site and off-site jobs equalling $2.8 billion in wages last year.

And the demand for people in residential construction and renovation is only going to increase.

According to BuildForce Canada, over the next decade, Ontario will need to replace an estimated 118,400 workers that are expected to retire, or 21% of the current labour force. Hiring, training and retaining skilled workers exiting the residential construction industry will be the key driver of labour needs through to 2030 and beyond.

Building approximately 9,000 new homes a year and renovating our 400,000 existing homes means that in Ottawa we need an average of 800 new workers every year for the next 10 years to keep up with labour demand.

In order to help address this significant labour shortage, GOHBA established the Trades Development Initiative in 2019.

The Initiative’s focus is on growing the labour pool by actively promoting skilled trades as a first-choice career while leveraging strategic partnerships and launching initiatives on staff retention, marketing strategies and attracting young people, immigrants, and those looking for a second career to consider a skilled trade vocation in residential construction and professional renovation.

As part of our efforts to promote skilled trade careers GOHBA is forging partnerships with educational institutions like Algonquin College, who are the largest source of training in the Greater Ottawa area. We’re also working with organizations like the YMCA-YWCA of the National Capital Region, who have a strong history of working with underrepresented groups so that they can have better access to skilled trade careers.

We’re also partnering with the Ottawa Employment Hub, a program funded by the Ministry of Labor, Training and Skills Development. It is one of 26 workforce planning boards across Ontario, which connects stakeholders from various sectors to help build an integrated, responsive system that supports economic growth and meets the needs of both workers and employers.

Finally, in July 2020 we partnered with the Ontario Home Builders’ Association on the ‘Job-Ready’ Program.  This initiative provides job seekers with entry-level practical skills training and experience that will prepare them for work in the construction industry. In addition to hands-on industry training, participants are provided with a paid job placement and ongoing retention supports to ensure their long-term success in the construction field. A number of GOHBA members have already taken advantage of the program.

Disruptions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic have moderated the anticipated rapid rise in labour demand over the near term, but it does not alleviate the expected retirements which will create even more significant labour market challenges for our industry.

Over 2020 and 2021 the provincial government declared residential construction and renovation an essential industry – allowing most building and renovation sites to stay open during the wider lockdown. It did this because professional builders and renovators maintain high health and safety standards, and were quick to adopt stringent COVID protocols.

Those working in the industry remained safe and employed throughout the pandemic.

But beyond detailing an industry that is looking for good people and has plenty of opportunity, there are two things that make a career in the skilled trades so appealing – energy-efficiency and entrepreneurship.

Energy-Efficiency – New housing is at the forefront of energy-efficiency, and existing homes have significant potential to reduce GHG emissions. If you are concerned about the environment, getting into residential construction and renovation gives you the opportunity to directly impact a home’s energy performance, and build the type of energy-efficient housing you want to see.

Entrepreneurship – For those looking to be their own boss or dream of running their own company someday, residential construction and renovation is tailor-made for you. The entire industry is built on companies and sole-proprietorships that were started by someone who learned a skilled trade, worked for a while with an established company, and then set off on their own.

Residential construction and renovation is essential to Ottawa’s economic foundation, job creation, and housing quality. It can also be where you build your ideal career.