Construction industry leaders from across the country have formed a new national organization to help ensure a steady flow of highly skilled workers is available to the growing industry.

BuildForce Canada replaces the Construction Sector Council (CSC) after 10 years of operations working with industry to provide credible, well-respected labour market forecasting and other resources and services.

“In the wake of the end of the federal government’s Sector Council program, industry leaders have stepped up to the plate,” says BuildForce’s executive director, Rosemary Sparks. “We have a new brand, a new board of directors, a new funding model and a new governance structure. But our mandate will continue to address the need for a skilled workforce in the construction industry.”

“As we continue to experience strong construction markets and growing demand for skilled labour, the industry clearly requires comprehensive labour market information,” says board chair Robert Blakely, who is also director of Canadian affairs for the building and construction trades department, AFL CIO. “We will build on the model we have set up to deliver that information, which includes consultation with many diverse stakeholders.”

Board member and president of McCaine Electric Ltd., John Schubert, says priorities will continue to be decided based on research.

“We will continue to determine what is needed by looking at human resource issues in a thoughtful, planned and scientific way.”

The new BuildForce Canada board of directors has broad representation from the construction industry. Its members include contractors, labour groups and owner/client companies.

Located in Ottawa, BuildForce is a national industry-led organization committed to working directly with the construction industry to provide information and resources to assist with the management of its workforce requirements.