Construction industry launches next phase of Worker Recruitment Campaign

Three people standing beside each other wearing hard hats and a banner sign is behind them

Sam Sanderson, Manager of Construction Association, Minister Gallant and new president of the CA, Terry Jeffery.

Industry growth and retirements to require 1200 workers over next four years

In the face of record levels of construction activity, recruitment and retention of skilled workers remains our top priority, says Terry Jeffery, incoming President of the Construction Association of Prince Edward Island (CAPEI).

“In partnership with the federal and provincial governments, our Island Builder worker recruitment campaign has filled record numbers of new jobs,” CAPEI President Terry Jeffery said. “We are excited about the next phase of activities and for the future of the construction sector in the province.”

Phase two of the Island Builder campaign will consist of promotional videos, a continued radio campaign, a promotion focusing on high school students, and the first ever wage and salary survey to highlight the earning opportunities in the sector. The campaign will be supported by a full-time HR advisor at CAPEI to assist the industry and fill available jobs.

Workforce and Advanced Learning Minister Sonny Gallant praised the construction industry for taking a strategic approach to addressing labour market needs.

“Our government is committed to working with the construction sector to provide innovative ways to both attract and retain workers,” Minister Gallant told members at the construction industry’s annual general meeting and trade show on Friday, March 1, 2019. “The Government of Prince Edward Island is pleased to support this campaign with $125,000 in funding.”

“The importance of increasing access to skilled labour is about more than just meeting the needs of the construction sector,” CAPEI President Terry Jeffery said. “Access to new construction workers supports growth in Island manufacturing businesses, the hospitality sector and affordable housing, for example. These are priorities that impact the entire province but require a construction sector working at full capacity.”

The construction sector employs 5,500 workers in Prince Edward Island. New construction activity is expected to create demand for an additional 600 employees over the next four years. In addition, retirements will see a further 600 vacancies over that same time period.

The Island Builder Campaign is supported in whole or in part by the PEI-Canada Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA).

Media contact:
Sam Sanderson
Construction Association of Prince Edward Island
(902) 368-3303
admin@capei.ca

Hillary MacDonald
Department of Workforce and Advanced Learning
902-394-6368
hpsmacdonald@gov.pe.ca

General Inquiries

Department of Workforce, Advanced Learning and Population
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105 Rochford Street
PO Box 2000
Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8

Phone: 902-368-4250
Fax: 902-368-4242

DeptWALP@gov.pe.ca