Construction jobs in Canada: The construction industry in Canada is a significant contributor to the country’s economy, employing more than 1.3 million people and representing around 7 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP). The prevalent domains of building encompass:
- Residential dwellings may be categorized into three main types: single-unit, low-rise, and high-rise structures.
- The subject under discussion is ICI Buildings, which refers to structures that are designed and constructed for institutional, commercial, and industrial purposes.
- The term “infrastructure” refers to the fundamental physical and organizational structures and facilities that are necessary for the functioning of a society or economy. This includes many aspects such as transportation systems, water supply networks, and
- Mining refers to the process of extracting valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth’s crust
- The topic of discussion pertains to the extraction and use of oil and gas resources.
- Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), while officially classified under the oil and gas industry, is often distinguished as a distinct and developing sector.
The aging population of Canada, along with its persistent economic expansion, generates a robust need for experts and tradespeople in the construction industry. This demand for skilled labor regularly exceeds the available supply. Canada, being the second-largest country globally, relies on overseas labor to sustain its construction business, since it is home to a population of around 38 million people.
What are the construction occupations that are now experiencing high demand in Canada?
- The individuals responsible for overseeing projects related to institutional, commercial, and industrial (ICI) buildings and infrastructure.
- The individuals holding the position of Senior Project Managers within the context of ICI Buildings & Infrastructure.
- Senior Superintendents in the field of ICI (Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional) Buildings and Infrastructure.
- The roles of commercial managers and contracts managers in the field of infrastructure.
- The position of Senior Estimators in the field of ICI Buildings & Infrastructure is being discussed.
Design managers play a crucial role in the realm of ICI (Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional) buildings and infrastructure. Their responsibilities include overseeing and coordinating the design process, ensuring that projects are executed efficiently and effectively. By using their expertise, design managers contribute to the successful completion of construction projects within the ICI sector.
The topic of discussion pertains to schedulers in the context of infrastructure.
For more insights on the customary job designations within the construction industry in Canada, we recommend perusing the comprehensive blog provided by Outpost recruiting, a subsidiary organization specializing in construction recruiting.
Professionals in the field of construction
A robust foundation in engineering or construction management offers construction professionals a valuable technical basis for those seeking a career in the contracting sector of the business. One notable aspect of the construction industry is that, while obtaining a higher degree might provide an early edge, individuals can ascend the professional hierarchy irrespective of their official educational attainment.
It is noteworthy that Canada, in contrast to nations like Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East, places a greater emphasis on immigration via permanent residency rather than the recruitment of temporary foreign workers through short-term visas. Obtaining permanent residency in Canada is somewhat more accessible than in several other nations that provide appealing opportunities in the construction industry. There are several other avenues for exploration in the event that an individual does not currently meet the eligibility criteria for permanent residency.
Academic credentials and qualifications
In order to enhance one’s prospects of securing employment in the construction industry in Canada, it is advantageous to possess one of the following academic degrees or professional qualifications:
- Obtaining a Masters or MBA degree is considered very advantageous for those seeking immigration to Canada via economic class programs.
- A degree is considered a very advantageous credential for construction professionals in terms of immigration and work opportunities in Canada.
- The term “Higher Diploma” refers to a post-secondary educational qualification that is often awarded after the completion of a specific program of study. The user has a Bachelor of Technology degree and a Higher National Diploma (HND).
- The acquisition of a trade qualification might potentially facilitate an individual’s immigration to Canada via the Federal Skilled Trades Program, which is a permanent residency initiative associated with the Express Entry system.
- The term “designations” refers to the titles or labels assigned to individuals or entities to
- The title of Engineer in Training (EIT) is granted to individuals upon the approval of their engineering transcripts by the provincial engineering council.
- The Professional Engineer (P. Eng.) designation has less significance in the contractual sector of the engineering business, although it continues to be held in high regard.
- The Gold Seal Certification (GSC) is a title exclusive to Canada and is widely regarded as a valuable credential for anyone pursuing a career in project management.
- The attainment of the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is often regarded as a highly appropriate worldwide credential for those working in the field of project management.
- The designation of Chartered Member (MRICS) is specifically intended for professionals in the fields of Quantity Surveying and Building Surveying. The MRICS designation has national recognition across Canada.
The Professional Quantity Surveyor (PQS) distinction is a Canadian professional certification that is comparable to the MRICS designation. It is granted to Quantity Surveyors by the Canadian Association of Consulting Quantity Surveyors (CACQS).
Greetings and welcome to Outpost Recruitment.
Since 2012, Outpost Recruitment, our sister organization, has been facilitating the connection between Canadian companies involved in civil, infrastructure, and ICI (Institutional, Commercial and Industrial) buildings projects and highly skilled foreign engineering specialists. Outpost specializes in facilitating the relocation process for overseas individuals seeking to move to Canada.
The clientele of our organization comprises of:
The term “general contractors” refers to professionals who oversee and manage construction projects. These individuals are responsible for coordinating many aspects of the
- The many types of subcontractors involved in construction projects include those specializing in civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and geotechnical aspects.
- Consultants play a crucial role in project execution and cost management.
- Outpost Recruitment collaborates with prominent contractors in the fields of infrastructure and structures to fulfill various construction positions inside Canada.
- The individual in charge of overseeing and managing the project’s operations is referred to as the Project Director or Operations Manager.
- Positions available: Project Managers at various levels, ranging from Junior PM to Senior PM.
- The role of design managers is crucial in overseeing and coordinating the design process inside an organization. These individuals possess a unique blend of creative
- The term “superintendents” refers to individuals who hold positions of authority and responsibility
- Estimators are statistical tools used to estimate unknown parameters of a population based on sample data.
The process of relocating to Canada as a Construction Professional
One notable advantage of relocating to Canada as a construction professional is the abundance of diverse opportunities accessible within the field. Furthermore, in contrast to nations such as Australia or the Gulf States, Canada offers work permit categories that do not necessitate a job offer. Additionally, there exists a direct and expedited pathway to obtaining permanent residence (PR) in Canada, even in the absence of a job offer or prior residency in the country. Canada offers several Permanent Residency (PR) schemes and work permit categories to facilitate the entry of construction workers into the country. Further information on these programs, such as work permits and the well recognized International Experience Canada (IEC) program, may be obtained from a comprehensive blog available on our affiliated website, Outpost Recruitment.
Potential geographical areas for consideration
It is advisable to consider the material provided below about job patterns in Canada during the last decade. One may evaluate the most suitable site possibilities based on their chosen sector.
The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) has several significant suburban areas, alongside a central business district renowned for its iconic CN Tower and the continuous proliferation of towering architectural structures in its vicinity. The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) encompasses a vast expanse, accommodating a population over 6 million people. Notably, it serves as the most significant employment hub in Canada for the construction industry.
- The Vancouver Lower Mainland region comprises more than ten municipalities and is characterized by a thriving real estate market and a robust portfolio of infrastructure projects.
- Montreal, the biggest city in Quebec and the second-largest in Canada, has several prospects; yet, those without proficiency in the French language may need to reassess their options.
- Ottawa, the capital city of Canada, provides a high standard of living.
- Calgary, located in Canada, serves as a prominent hub for the oil and gas industry. However, it now faces challenges stemming from the decline in commodity prices and the absence of adequate pipeline infrastructure to facilitate the global exportation of Canadian oil.
- Edmonton, located in the province of Alberta, is recognized as a prominent hub for the blue-collar workforce within the oil and gas sector.
- The Fly-in-Fly-Out (FIFO) approach is a commonly used employment arrangement in several industries, particularly in the resource and mining sectors. If one’s objective is to engage in distant projects, there exists a plethora of possibilities to consider, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), conventional oil and gas, mining, or infrastructure projects. It is possible to reside in a metropolitan area and travel to one’s rotating shift.
- This analysis aims to expeditiously explore historical employment patterns in the construction sector across Canada, with the objective of enhancing your understanding and facilitating informed decision-making on the optimal geographical placement within the country.
- From 2009 to 2014, there was a significant increase in the demand for overseas employees in various building industries due to the industrial boom.
Canada is a geographically expansive territory with relatively low population density, characterized by abundant reserves of natural resources. Similar to Australia, the economies of both nations exhibit a strong correlation with the pricing of natural resources, resulting in cyclical patterns of booms and busts in very short timeframes. Canada is recognized as a prominent global producer of several commodities, including but not limited to oil, natural gas, copper, gold, silver, zinc, iron, potash, uranium, and molybdenum. The oil sands area located in Northern Alberta is responsible for around 33% of the global oil reserves. However, it is important to note that Canada’s provinces and territories are home to resource deposits spanning throughout the whole country.
The period spanning from 2009 to 2014 saw a notable surge in commodity prices, which subsequently prompted substantial investments in mining as well as oil and gas ventures across Canada. The labor-intensive nature of resource exploitation in the Prairie provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba) has resulted in significant economic growth, attracting people from other regions of Canada and outside. During this specific time frame, there was a notable surge in population within these provinces, resulting in a consequential enhancement of the local economy in urban centers such as Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Regina, and Saskatoon. As urban centers and settlements continue to expand across the Prairie region, the corresponding municipalities have faced the imperative of developing new infrastructure and securing a workforce capable of accommodating the burgeoning population. Consequently, the scarcity of trained labor has had a significant impact on several businesses, extending beyond the realm of natural resources. During this time period, Calgary and Edmonton engaged in a competitive environment with Toronto and Vancouver in attracting foreign employees. These places were seen as providing greater economic prospects for immigrants and a more affordable cost of living.
The influx of both domestic and foreign employees migrating to join the thriving industrial sector has resulted in a subsequent dearth of labor in several other domains within the Canadian construction industry. The surge in available resources served as a catalyst for the influx of foreign laborers, who migrated to the region with the aim of capitalizing on economic prospects. Fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) employees from various global locations were recruited to join the oil sands boom in Fort McMurray. The phenomenon of employers in Vancouver and Toronto experiencing a workforce outflow towards the industrial sector resulted in a heightened demand for overseas employees, hence exacerbating the labor shortage. The aforementioned need was shown by the efforts of Canadian enterprises to conduct foreign recruiting drives during this period, in response to the occurrence of skills shortages in the construction industry. Due to an inadequate local labor supply, firms were granted authorization to sponsor foreign employees in order to fulfill their labor requirements. The escalation in oil prices prompted a notable increase in the development of oil and gas facilities. The phenomenon of Canadian employees increasingly gravitating into better remunerative positions within the resource industry has resulted in a surge in demand for foreign workers to fill the resulting vacancies throughout various regions of Canada.
From 2015 forward, there has been a significant increase in infrastructure development.
The Prairie provinces have seen a decline in labor markets and economic stagnation due to the decrease in commodity prices since 2014, which has resulted in less investment in resource projects. In response to the deceleration of the industrial sector, Canada has made substantial investments in nationwide infrastructure initiatives, which have been important in accommodating a significant influx of laborers transitioning from the resource industry. Since 2014, there has been a decline in the need for foreign employees in Canada, as the country has shifted its attention towards integrating domestic Canadian workers into various industries. The prevalence of employer sponsorship has decreased compared to past periods, nevertheless, individuals from abroad who get temporary work permits or permanent residence still encounter prospects for employment in Canada.
The aforementioned alterations have resulted in a notable shift in the attention of global laborers towards the provinces of British Columbia and Ontario. Toronto, Ontario and Vancouver, British Columbia have emerged as more reliable locations for international employees due to their robust economies, supported by thriving tourist, film, and IT industries. These cities have seen substantial foreign investment, which has reduced their reliance on resource pricing and enhanced their stability as employment hubs. Both sites have robust residential, institutional, and commercial building sectors, accompanied by significant infrastructural development due to the continuous growth of their populations.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is a multifaceted catastrophe including both health and economic dimensions. It is certain that the construction sector in Canada will experience the repercussions of COVID-19 in the foreseeable future. Fortunately, it seems that the construction industry is seeing some relief from the first impact of the epidemic due to a dedication to infrastructure expenditure as a fundamental component of economic recovery. One may remain informed about the most recent advancements pertaining to COVID-19 in Canada by using this source.
The topic of discussion is Outpost Recruitment.
For a period over five years, our affiliated organization, Outpost Recruitment, has been facilitating the connection between highly skilled construction experts from many countries and Canadian businesses involved in civil, infrastructure, and ICI buildings projects.
To investigate potential employment prospects in Canada’s construction industry, it is recommended to contact Outpost Recruitment. By registering on their platform, individuals may have access to a comprehensive database of available job positions and do thorough research on relevant chances.