The proportion of B.C. high school graduates entering the construction trades has dropped, according to a recent report by the B.C. Construction Association (BCCA).

This is the first time the trend has fallen since the association began tracking it four years ago when the ratio of B.C. high school graduates entering construction trades training programs within one year of graduation was estimated at 1/93.

By 2016 that number improved by 35 per cent to 1/69, but this year there has been a slight reversal to 1/70.

“In order to fill the predicted shortage of 14,200 construction tradespeople, 1 in 12 high school graduates need to enter the trades over the next few years” comments Chris Atchison, BCCA president.  “Although the predicted shortage of construction workers has decreased from 30,000, there’s still a significant gap and the demand for skilled workers remains high.”

The main reason for the predicted skilled worker shortage is retirements, with two-thirds of the workforce over the age of 45. The association is estimating that 14,200 construction jobs will go unfilled in the province due to labour shortages by 2026.

There are currently $75.1 billion in construction projects underway, with the value of future projects estimated at $325 billion. The construction workforce has grown by 12 per cent this year, with 6 per cent more companies operating and paying a total of $13.2 billion in construction wages.

Construction remains B.C.’s largest employer in the goods sector, contributing 8.6 per cent of GDP.

A strong economy has seen a steady drop in the youth unemployment rate overall so the construction industry has to be more competitive to attract young people, notes Atchison.

Trends in the construction workforce have a big impact on the provincial economy. For more information on these and other important statistics visit www.bccassn.com/stats/