26 October 2007

Construction industry seeks Canadian immigration

The British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) is expanding its programme of sourcing skilled construction workers for Canadian immigration. Offering support services to workers and employers, the BCCA programme hopes to attract more qualified trades people to apply for Canadian visas.

British Columbia is experiencing a critical shortage of skilled labour and a recent Construction Sector Council study estimated the Canadian province will need 20,636 new workers to replace retirees between 2006 and 2014. This includes a requirement for 14,793 extra construction workers to meet demand through to 2009.

BCCA director of human resources Regina Brodersen told the Journal of Commerce that in the year the programme has been running they have brought in 112 skilled workers.

"Most of these workers are carpenters, roofers, bricklayers, ironworkers, glaziers and electricians. About one-third of these workers gain permanent residency under the Provincial Nominee Program, while the others come to Canada with the Youth Mobility Program and the Temporary Foreign Worker program," Brodersen said.

"We are really looking for skilled workers who want to stay, so about 75 per cent of the temporary workers stay permanently. I always look at the long-term, which is why we are not placing unskilled workers."

The Canadian Visa Bureau can assist skilled workers interested in Canadian immigration. Anyone applying for a Canadian visa should begin by completing the online Canadian visa application to see if they meet the legislative requirements.