TSheets surveyed 500 respondents in the construction industry across 111 cities in Canada to find out how businesses plan to cope with the levies, if and how hiring will be affected, and how the diversifying and digitizing the workforce can make a difference.

Most business owners are concerned and cautious

In the TSheets survey, 42% of respondents expressed concern about the tariffs, while 51% expect a negative impact on Canada’s overall economic growth. When it comes to career outlook, 45% of those in hiring and managerial positions said the tariffs may reduce the number of construction jobs available in 2019.

Unable to gauge the full impact just yet, the same group also states how promotions and pay raises will be put on hold for the time being. However, 1 in 3 businesses says operations have not been impacted by the tariffs at the time of the survey, with more than 18% going ahead with recruitment as planned. 22% foresee hiring more seasonal workers to offset staffing costs.  

Responses extracted from those in British Columbia almost mirror the collective national data:

• 31% say the tariffs have not impacted hiring.
• 20% plan to hire additional workers corroborates with the national data.
• 26% say jobs are secure, but promotions and/or pay raises will be put on hold.

The need to digitize is greater than ever

Business owners also shared possible workarounds to combat the tariffs, including utilizing cheaper materials, loading employees with more responsibilities, and trying to complete projects quicker. Yet TSheets discovered the majority of businesses are still plagued with fundamental pain points.

27% of those in supervisory or ownership roles say they struggle to keep accurate labour and material records, with the root of the problem becoming clear: 85% of employees are still tracking time manually, whether it’s using pen and paper, a physical timesheet, spreadsheet or even having a manager to do it for them.

At a time when policies and politics are uncertain, construction businesses would be remiss not to leverage solutions readily available to them, not just regarding heavy machinery or equipment but also investing in day-to-day operations with the help of technology. Businesses have reported they’re able to save up to five hours per week in time and work just by digitizing their time tracking method.

A national and provincial shortage of skilled labour

It is also imperative to recognize and address the challenges in Canada’s construction industry before tariffs ever came into the equation. The low unemployment rate means the competition for top talent is fierce. But the construction industry also faces an imminent wave of retirements without replacements. In British Columbia specifically, BuildForce Canada predicts more than 40,000 workers will retire by 2027, but only 32,000 new entrants are expected.

There is also a vast gender imbalance when it comes to labour, where women’s participation in construction is the lowest compared to any other industry. But change is coming. There are increasingly more provincial apprenticeships and training programs exclusively for women to join the trade industry. Here are some to consider in British Columbia:

1. Trades Discovery for Women Program

Conducted by the British Columbia Institute of Technology, this program helps women gain hands-on experience in about 20 different trades.

2. Women in Trades Training (WITT)

Offered by the Industry Training Authority (ITA), the program provides training, financial assistance, and support for women in British Columbia.

3. Diversity in the Workplace Trades — Training Leading to Apprenticeship

In December 2018, UA Piping Industry College of British Columbia was announced as the recipient of a $760,000 investment from the Government of Canada to support key groups such as women, indigenous people, newcomers, and people with disabilities to work in the skilled trades.

About the Author

Prior to joining the copywriting team at TSheets by QuickBooks, Dottie Chong spent 15 years in marketing communications and content management focused on driving engagement and brand affinity. When no one is watching, she indulges in K-pop, knitting, and karaoke, all at the same time.

The post Construction 2019: Businesses are in need of digitization and diversity appeared first on BC Jobs Blog.

Objective

• To work as a skilled carpenter in the area of finishing carpentry with a residential construction firm in Vancouver’s Lower Mainland

Experience

• Journeyman Carpenter. ABC Building Company. Vancouver, BC. October 2012 to present
  • Estimate and manage projects.
  • Ensure safety regulations are followed on work sites.
  • Oversee apprentice carpenters.
• Apprentice Carpenter. DEC Framing Company. Vancouver. September 2010 to September 2012
  • Read blueprints to develop materials list and cutting schedules.
  • Used hand and power tools to cut and shape wood.
  • Built frames for wood frame houses and low-rise apartments.
  • Manufactured assemblies, such as roofing trusses and beams, for installation on job sites.
• Labourer. ABC Construction Company. Squamish. June 2008 to August 2010
  • Loaded construction materials and transported them to work areas.
  • Assisted carpenters, bricklayers, roofers and glaziers in construction activities.
• Education
  • Carpentry Ticket. BCIT. 2008
  • St. John Ambulance First Aid Training. 2007
  • Grade 12 Dogwood Diploma. Churchill Secondary School. Squamish. 2005

Looking for a great job in the construction industry? Create a jobseeker profile and you can get Job Alerts sent directly to your inbox!

The post Sample Construction Resume appeared first on BC Jobs Blog.

Choose a Resume Format

If you haven’t previously worked in construction or if you’re trying to change roles, consider using a functional or combination resume. That way, you can put the emphasis on your transferable skills. If most of your career to date has been in construction, stick with a chronological resume. This will show your time in the construction industry and highlight your progression.

Highlight the Most Relevant Details

Pick out the accomplishments that are most relevant to the potential employer. Instead of including a laundry list of all the responsibilities you’ve had, focus on the key problems you solved and the results you delivered. For example, if the company where you worked had an issue with safety procedures, and you were able to implement a solution, you might write something like this: “Reduced accidents by two percent by developing stringent safety procedures and improving staff training.” Wherever possible, use numbers—doing so shows that you’re results-oriented.

Include Keywords

The construction industry is broad, and workers in this field often have a wide variety of skills. Think about what skills potential employers are looking for. For ideas, spend some time reading job ads.

Try to include some of the following terms:

• Apprenticeship
• CAD design
• Certified
• Communication
• High tech
• Journeyman
• Leadership
• Logistics management
• Management
• People person
• Planning
• Robotics
• Safety management
• Team work
• Technology
• Trades ticket

Get an Edge

Review construction job postings for the positions you’d like to have, so that you know what employers want. Use social networking sites to make connections with people who can provide leads and references. And consider building an online brand, so that you can influence employers who look you up on the web. By going beyond what usual job seekers do, you can capture an employer’s attention.

See also:

• Sample Construction Resume.
• Careers in the Construction Industry

The post Preparing Your Resume for a Construction Career appeared first on BC Jobs Blog.

More than 30 public and private training institutions have been approved by BC’s Industry Training Authority to provide trades training and apprenticeship programs.

What Is an Apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a learn-while-you-earn education program that teaches the theory behind the work in a classroom, and provides practical application and experience in a real-life work context. In BC there are more than 100 apprenticeship programs which, upon completion, give trades workers a government-recognized credential often referred to as a certification or “ticket”. Someone who has certification is often referred to as a “certified tradesperson”. With certification, workers are able to demonstrate a defined skill level in their trade and will typically earn more than workers who don’t have it.

From: http://www.itabc.ca
Where Can I Get Training for a Career in Construction?

Construction-related training programs are available in BC at the following institutions:

BC Institute of Technology (BCIT) – offers a wide variety of trades and apprenticeship programs for the construction industry including programs for architectural/building engineering, automated woodworking processes, boiler making, carpentry, civil/structural engineering, construction management, drafting, dry waller, electrician, environmental engineering, gas fitter, glazier, heat and frost insulator, joiner, lather, millwright, painting and decorating, pile driving, plastering, plumbing, sheet metal work, steam fitting/pipe fitting, steel fabrication, welding.
www.bcit.ca

Camosun College – offers programs in carpentry, sheet metal and an electrician apprenticeship.
www.camosun.ca

Kwantlen University-College – offers programs in carpentry, cement masonry, drafting, electronics technician, millwright, sheet metal and welding.
www.kwantlen.bc.ca

Malaspina University-College – offers programs in carpentry and welding.
www.mala.ca

Northern Lights College – offers a carpentry credit which can be transferred to an apprenticeship program.
www.nlc.bc.ca

Northwest Community College – offers a certificate program in carpentry designed to prepare workers for entry-level employment.
www.nwcc.bc.ca

University College of the Cariboo – offers a nine-month introductory course to carpentry, an electrical apprenticeship training program, an introduction to plumbing and a welding program.
www.cariboo.bc.ca

University College of the Fraser Valley – offers a full-time drafting program designed to prepare students for entry-level employment, a joinery certificate and a welding certificate program.
www.ucfv.ca

Vancouver Community College – offers a variety of drafting programs.
www.vcc.ca

Sign up for Job Alerts to receive email notifications about construction jobs

See also:

• Sample Construction Resume.
• Careers in the Construction Industry

The post Training and Preparation for Construction Careers appeared first on BC Jobs Blog.

Careers in construction involve both skilled trades and professions. Here are some examples of the careers in this sector:

• Architect
• Blaster/Driller
• Boilermaker
• Bricklayer
• Cabinetmaker
• Carpenter
• Concrete Finisher
• Construction Craft Labourer
• Crane Operator
• Cribber
• Electrician
• Elevator Constructor
• Estimator
• Exterior Finisher
• Floor Covering Installer
• Framer
• Gasfitter
• Glazier/Metal Mechanic
• Heat and Frost Insulator
• Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic
• Heavy Equipment Mechanic
• Heavy Equipment Operator
• Interior Finisher
• Ironworker
• Landscaper
• Lineworker
• Millwright
• Painter and Decorator
• Plasterer and Drywaller
• Plumber
• Roofer
• Sheet Metal Worker
• Sprinkler Fitter and Sprinkler Systems Installer
• Steamfitter/Pipefitter
• Surveyor
• Tilesetter
• Welder

From: http://www.careersinconstruction.ca

What Is Construction?

Skilled construction workers build homes, offices, schools, bridges, roads, factories and shopping malls.

There are four sectors in the construction industry.

1. New Home Building and RenovationThis sector of the construction industry employs 50 percent of all construction workers in Canada. It involves building, remodelling or renovating single-family homes and apartment buildings.
2. Heavy Industrial ConstructionThis sector of the construction industry involves building industrial facilities such as cement factories, automotive manufacturing facilities, chemical or power plants, refineries and oil-sands installations. Projects in this sector often take years to complete and involve a wide range of construction careers. There are many opportunities to advance to planning, supervisory, management or teaching roles.
3. Institutional and Commercial Construction
   This area includes building commercial and institutional buildings such as stadiums, schools, hospitals, grain elevators and indoor swimming pools. The projects tend to be large and varied, and there are many opportunities for long-term career building that will take workers into supervisory, management or teaching roles.
4. Civil Engineering Construction
   These engineering projects involve the building of highways, dams, water and sewer lines, power and communication lines, and bridges.

From: http://www.careersinconstruction.ca

Construction Industry Characteristics

Construction has historically been place-specific and materials are assembled onsite by local workers. Construction is unlike most other industries in that outsourcing and assembly line production are not easily applied to the building of infrastructure, commercial buildings and homes. Construction work generally occurs on site and, while some components may be manufactured offsite, it is impossible to prefabricate an excavation.

From: Changing Dimensions of British Columbia’s Labour Market, Implications for the Construction Industry

How Do I Get into the Industry?

There are many ways to get started in the construction industry:

• Register as an apprentice and combine on-the-job training with in-class learning. In BC you can start earning credits toward your apprenticeship while you’re still in high school.
• Enroll at a university, community college or technical institute and study for the construction career of your choice.
• Find a job as a construction labourer and learn the skills you need on the job. Many employers will also support workers who wish to complete an apprenticeship.

From: http://www.careersinconstruction.ca

How Much Will I Make?

Construction workers often earn more per hour than university graduates, and the average construction worker’s annual salary is higher than the overall national average. If you start out in the construction industry as an apprentice, you can earn while you learn and avoid the student loan debts many college and university graduates face.

From: http://www.careersinconstruction.ca

Sample Construction Career Profiles

Carpenter

Carpenters are involved in everything from building the forms for high rises using construction lumber all the way to the manufacturing of boat interiors using the finest of hardwoods. The field of carpentry is huge and so carpenters often specialize in certain types of carpentry work.

A wide range of duties, depending on the specific job, can include:

• Reading blueprints to develop a materials list and cutting schedule that makes the best use of lumber.
• Using hand and power tools to cut and shape wood after making careful measurements.
• Framing for wood frame houses and low-rise apartments.
• Manufacturing wooden assemblies, such as roofing trusses and beams, that will be installed on the job site by other workers.
• Working to standards outlined in provincial and national building codes, understanding these standards and staying current with changes to building codes.
• Planning a job from blueprints that will make the best use of dimensional lumber.
• Using advanced fitting and measurement skills to make pieces that precisely fit the site and the building. This may involves taking a mould or making a pattern to fabricate the finished piece.

Number of BC carpenters: 14,739

Estimated openings (2001-2011): 5,560

Percentage of self-employed carpenters: 35%

From: http://handson.workfutures.bc.ca

Drafting Technician

People in this occupational group work in government, architectural and construction companies, utility, resource and manufacturing industries, private sector design, surveying, mapping and computer software firms.

A wide range of duties, depending on the specific job, can include:

• Architectural technologists and technicians research and prepare drawings and contracts for professional architects and civil design engineers.
• Industrial designers create and produce designs for consumer, industrial and business products.
• Drafting technologists and technicians use computer-aided design and drafting equipment to prepare designs and drawings.
• Survey technologists and technicians conduct or participate in field surveys to determine exact locations and positions of natural features and other structures.
• Mapping and related technologists and technicians prepare maps, interpret aerial photographs and operate airborne remote and in-house sensing and interpretive equipment, as well as geographic information systems.

Number of BC drafting technicians: 6,690

Estimated openings (2001-2011): 2,830

Percentage of self-employed drafting technicians: 17%

From: http://www.workfutures.bc.ca

Glazier

Glaziers are responsible for putting glass into windows, installing metal frameworks for glass and building the walls of modern buildings that are made of suspended glass panels.

Glass is widely used in modern architecture and glaziers are called on to do a lot of different tasks:

• Cutting and bevelling glass plate. This requires special tools and a knowledge of how glass breaks in different circumstances.
• Reading and interpreting blueprints. Glaziers read blueprints to find out which types and sizes of glass are needed, draw up a materials list and create a workplan for the installation.
• Making support framing. On some jobs, the glazier makes the metal framework that supports plate glass and installs railings and other structural details that support glass.
• Building and dismantling scaffolding. Glaziers often work high above the ground on scaffolding. Glaziers often set up and take down their own scaffolding, which requires attention to safety regulations.
• Etching and tinting glass. Glaziers apply special effects to glass, such as tint coatings or etched patterns, for decoration or privacy.
• Prefabricating and fitting glass panels and windows. Sometimes glaziers work in factories where they make framed windows that are ready for installation on the construction site. Glaziers may also work alongside cabinetmakers, fitting glass into furniture.
• Installing mirrors and showcases. Glaziers install large mirrors and custom showcases, using special techniques to minimize breakage.
• Preparing cost estimates and sales. Glaziers who work as independent contractors have to prepare cost estimates and explain their services to potential customers.
• Using a computer layout program. Efficient use of material and precision fits in the finished project can be achieved by using computer layouts.

Number of BC glaziers: 1,060

Estimated openings (2001-2011): 375

Percentage of self-employed glaziers: 19%

From: http://handson.workfutures.bc.ca

Also read

• Sample construction resume
• Training and Preparation for Construction Careers

The post Careers in the Construction Industry appeared first on BC Jobs Blog.