Construction employment in the Lower Mainland-Southwest region grew slightly in July, according to Vancouver Regional Construction Association’s (VRCA) analysis of today’s Labour Force Survey from Statistics Canada. July saw 115,200 persons working in construction in the Lower Mainland-Southwest region, up 2.9 per cent or 3,300 working persons from 111,900 in June 2010.
“The
July regional construction employment numbers met our expectations,”
says Keith Sashaw, president of the Vancouver Regional Construction Association. “Employment is benefitting mainly from the seasonal factor, but regional construction employment continues to edge higher and the trend seems to indicate that the worst is likely over for the industry.”
“
The construction industry is a significant contributor to job creation in the region at this time of year,” says Sashaw. “In July the industry added 3,300 persons to the employment roll while in the region 13,700 jobs were added. This represents 24 per cent of the
Lower Mainland-Southwest region’s job growth in July.”
Most of this momentum stems from the residential sector, says VRCA. June residential building permits were up and will translate into more construction jobs. However, housing starts are expected to decline in response to the housing market slowdown and the introduction of the HST. This year’s employment is forecast to show no increase from 2009.
In Metro Vancouver, construction employment posted its third consecutive monthly gain, up 2.5 per cent in July 2010 from June to an estimated 93,300 persons working in the industry. This is down 8.6 per cent, or 8,800 persons, from the figures reported for July 2009.
Abbotsford’s impressive gains ended with a decline in July, the first in seven months. Regional employment numbers slipped 0.9 per cent in July to 10,700 persons working in the industry. Year-over-year employment in the Abbotsford area was up 44.6 per cent.
Province wide, seasonally adjusted construction employment levels edged up 0.8 per cent in July to 194,100. Compared with July 2009, the number of people employed in B.C. construction was down 0.3 per cent, or 600 persons.
Private non-residential building construction does not offer much upside for construction employment in 2010, says VRCA. Public sector construction has more upside potential since more government stimulus funds have to be spent and should peak in 2010 before fading in 2011.
With more than 700 members, VRCA is British Columbia’s largest and most inclusive regional construction association, representing union and non-union, general and trade contracting companies, manufacturers, suppliers and other professionals throughout the Lower Mainland from Hope to Whistler.
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Full regional data and graphs attached. For more information, please contact:
Keith Sashaw – Vancouver Regional Construction Association – 778-995-9946
Sunny McKechnie – Edelman – 778-239-3400