April Is Construction Month

With the arrival of April, we tend to reflect on the invaluable contribution that construction companies and their workers make to Canadian communities. Although April is only officially Construction Month in British Columbia, we believe that it is something all Canadians should acknowledge.

In this article, we celebrate Construction Month by sharing interesting facts about the construction industry, how it drives Canada’s economy, and the many career opportunities it offers to our youth.

Construction: A Leading Canadian Employer

Most Canadians are unaware that the construction industry doesn’t just drive job creation in the construction industry. It also places demand on supply chains that, in turn, must hire more team members, supporting investments to stimulate growth across many different sectors and acting as the benchmark of growth in other economic sectors.

In fact, the construction sector itself employs more than 1.6 million Canadians, which has a far-reaching impact that contributes to job growth across many professions and sectors, from retail to manufacturing and technology to engineering. 

There were also 95,000 job openings in the Canadian construction industry in 2022, offering an opportunity for qualified candidates to earn an average salary of close to $46,000 a year.

In addition, we face trade and construction worker shortages as experienced, certified, and licensed workers retire. This provides ample opportunities for people to seek training and apprenticeships in the trades today to earn a respectable salary well into the future.

A Leader in Economic Growth

The construction industry contributes approximately $151 billion to Canada’s economy each year. Construction accounts for 7.4% of Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP), and in February 2023 alone saw total investment in building construction worth $20.6 billion.

Since 2017, the institutional and commercial construction sector has grown annually at an average rate of 3.9%. Revenue is expected to reach over $215 billion by 2026.

The Value of Construction Workers in Our Communities

Skilled construction workers play an indispensable role in shaping and strengthening our communities. Their contribution is crucial to meet the ever-increasing demands of our growing towns and cities.

They also overcome the challenges of aging infrastructures, breathing new life into our parks, roads, bridges, and essential structures we use in our daily lives. Construction workers build our homes and workplaces, the schools that educate our children, and the recreational sites that keep us healthy and fit.

They allow us to shop for the products we need, and even contribute to the utilities that allow us to use our phones, televisions, and computers, access clean water and more.

What It Takes to Become a Construction Worker

Construction workers perform a diverse range of jobs, requiring different skills and various levels of training and certifications. Their handiwork touches each element of the buildings we live in, work in, and visit for various needs every day.

Construction job opportunities include, but are not limited to:

• Construction labourers who provide the physical work required to prepare work sites, deliver materials, and keep the work space safe.
• Brick masons who lay the concrete and build structural walls.
• Plumbers who provide water and plumbing infrastructure to buildings.
• Equipment operators to safely control the large equipment at job sites including bulldozers, compactors, cranes, etc.
• Carpenters to manage wood structures and installations.
• Electricians who safely provide power to buildings.
• Civil engineers to design and create safe buildings and structures.
• Painters to provide the finishing touches and various protective coatings.
• Ironworkers that weld girders and build steel frames and structures.
• Architects to design the blueprints for structures.

Why is Construction Month Important?

Construction Month is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness about the industry and inspire children to consider a fulfilling career in it. It’s important to address the current shortage of skilled trades and construction workers, which is only expected to grow as more people retire from the industry.

By promoting this industry and its opportunities, we can help bridge the gap and build a stronger workforce for the future.

Many young people are not aware of the valuable contributions that construction workers make to society, and the lucrative positions available to people of all skill levels and interests.

There is a misconception that construction jobs are limited to unskilled positions, yet there are hundreds of opportunities available in the many roles we listed above.

Construction is a highly inclusive industry that offers opportunities to those who express an interest in pursuing a career in carpentry, welding, operating large equipment at construction sites, architectural design or learning plumbing and electrical work. Whether you are good with your hands, have a creative mind, or are technically minded, there is a place for you in construction.

Why Yvon Building Supply Celebrates Construction Month

The Yvon Building Supply team has been a quality building material supplier to trades, contractors, and construction companies since 2011. We have a great respect for the hard work of our customers and the immense contribution they make to our communities.

We are proud to play a small part in the lives of our customers and help facilitate the construction process through our materials and supplies. Yvon Building Supply salutes our customers and the men and women who play a role in building our communities.

For more information about our services, you can call us at 905-635-8700 or contact us online.