October 24, 2007

Skilled Labour

British Columbia Construction Association eases labour crunch by expanding skilled construction worker program

Richard Gilbert

STAFF WRITER

The B.C. Construction Association is expanding a unique program, which sources skilled construction workers and helps employers understand the immigration process, by increasing the range of support services offered and gaining greater access to qualified trades people.

EU-Step began in October 2006 with a series of workshops designed to assist BCCA members hire skilled trades people from Germany, where there was a recession in the construction industry.

“As of today [Oct. 16] we have brought in 112 skilled workers,” said Regina Brodersen, BCCA director of human resources.

“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.”

EU-Step has placed skilled workers from such countries as Germany, Finland, Russia and the Ukraine. In addition to sourcing candidates from Eastern Europe, EU-Step is expanding to seek skilled tradespeople from Central and South America.

Brodersen helps BCCA members source skilled trade workers and understand the immigration process.

Initially, members were provided with support on a rotational basis, because the program was being established and the BCCA has limited resources.

Now that the program is expanding, the BCCA is charging a registration fee of $600, which includes an initial consultation regarding preliminaries to hire skilled foreign workers and the different types of visa programs, regular updates and invitations to trade fairs, and one free placement.

There is a subsequent fee of $1000 for each skilled worker who is placed under the following Visas: Temporary Foreign Workers, Youth Mobility Program and Provincial Nominee Program.

“Any members interested in participating in the program will need to provide the BCCA with a detailed job description, including hourly rate and information regarding the employment opportunity,” Brodersen said.

She identifies and pre-screens the appropriate journey persons, and helps the employer and employee come to an agreement.

Once this is done, she assists both parties with the necessary paperwork and the settlement process.

EU-Step is the first program in Canada designed to source skilled construction workers and help employers understand the immigration process.

The program was designed to respond to B.C.’s critical shortage of skilled labour.

A study by the Construction Sector Council says B.C. will need 20,636 new workers to replace retirees between 2006 and 2014 and requires 14,793 new workers to meet construction demand between 2006-2009.

Print | Email | Comment