If you live in New Brunswick, you likely notice the impact of a shrinking workforce. The province is losing residents for the first time in two decades. This population drop creates a massive challenge for the local construction industry. Demand for skilled tradespeople hits record highs just as the workforce shrinks.
According to a recent report from CBC News, the province lost 886 people since the start of the year. This marks nine consecutive months of decline.
The Perfect Storm for Construction
The construction sector feels the impact directly. John Ryan Morrison serves as the executive director of the Construction Association New Brunswick. He notes the industry has battled a labour shortage for five years.
Morrison says the demand for skilled trades is at a record high.
Builders construct more homes and infrastructure than ever before. However, the lack of workers drives up costs and delays major initiatives. Right here in Saint John, Irving’s billion dollar Project NextGen requires a massive workforce. Other provincial projects like the Mactaquac Dam extension face similar pressures.
Morrison describes the situation bluntly. “We’re in a housing crisis, we’re in an infrastructure crisis, and we’re in a labour crisis all at the same time.”
A Looming Retirement Wave
Economic development consultant David Campbell warns that population decline threatens the prosperity of the province. His recent research projects 135,700 job vacancies in New Brunswick by 2035. The construction sector alone needs to fill 16,300 positions.
A record number of workers retire every year. Currently, 20 percent of the provincial workforce is over 55. Campbell attributes the recent population dip to federal policies that reduce the number of temporary residents. He advocates for a moderate population growth rate of up to two percent per year to sustain the economy.
Training the Next Generation
Industry leaders agree that immigration and education offer the best solutions. Morrison wants Ottawa to create a specific federal immigration program for construction workers. He also urges the provincial government to introduce students to skilled trades much earlier in their education.
Schools see a shift. The Department of Education reports that high school enrolment in skilled trades courses jumped from 5,200 in 2021 to 13,200 in 2026 within the anglophone sector.
Mary Butler leads the New Brunswick Community College as president and CEO. She confirms a 43 percent increase in trades enrolment over the last three years.
“Our best bet in terms of developing a workforce is developing our local talent,” Butler said.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there a skilled trades shortage in New Brunswick?
The province faces a combination of a declining population and an aging workforce. A large percentage of current tradespeople are nearing retirement age, and there are not enough new workers to replace them.
How many job vacancies are expected in the province?
Economic projections indicate New Brunswick will see 135,700 job vacancies by 2035. The construction industry accounts for 16,300 of those open positions.
What is being done to fix the labour gap?
Local colleges and high schools are expanding their skilled trades programs to train local talent. Industry leaders also push for targeted federal immigration programs to bring more construction workers into the province.
Years ago JK Irving’s right hand man told my sister that someone convinced him that university educated employees were the route to go. The push was on and they are now reaping the fruits of their foolish effort. The gentleman in question was lamenting how they literally gutted their industries of “experience” over education.
Saint John Shipbuilding was the largest training ground for tradesmen in the province but instead of standing his ground and taming the recalsitrants he closed up shop and moved it to Halifax. Nothing like shooting yourself in the foot.
Immigration is not the route to go. Training your local population whose family ties are strong and more likely to stay is.
Thanks to Frank McKenna and his drive to remove trades from the high school system we now have some of the best “educated” baristas and Tim Hortons employees in the country.
Suck it up buttercup! 😉