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In recent years, however, industries requiring little or no training have been luring workers away from skilled jobs by offering higher wages and incentives. And the situation is projected to become even more competitive.

Studies by the Construction Sector Council show the B.C. construction industry will require many more workers in the coming years. With that in mind, construction employers are looking for ways to avoid employee shortages.

The BCCA Employee Benefit Trust is working to help the construction industry meet this challenge. As a first step, we encourage employers to offer comprehensive health and insurance benefits.

Research shows that a solid benefit package can be more effective for recruiting and retaining employees than any other incentive, including hourly wage increases. This is especially true for workers with families.

Managing People and Protecting Your Business

In 2007, the Employee Benefit Trust prepared a forecast for the B.C. construction labour market, with strategies for how employers can respond.

As a follow-up, the Employee Benefit Trust will offer human resources workshops for construction employers around B.C. in fall 2008.

Details on times and places will be posted here and circulated to BCCA members by e-mail. One session is planned for late November or early December in each B.C. region.

If demand is strong, we will repeat this series of workshops in early 2009.