Quebec launches construction camps to address labour shortage

In a bid to address the growing need for skilled labour in the construction industry, Quebec has introduced a series of construction trades camps aimed at attracting and training new workers. 

The initiative seeks to introduce participants to various construction trades through practical, hands-on experiences, according to a report from The Canadian Press.

The one-day camps – organized in collaboration with the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ) and the Association de la construction du Québec (ACQ) –  will offer a one-day, hands-on introduction to key trades such as carpentry, bricklaying, plastering, shovel operation, and electrical work.

These sessions aim to demonstrate the potential of construction careers and highlight the demand for skilled workers. The initiative is particularly focused on underrepresented groups, including women, Indigenous people, young individuals, and those seeking a new career direction., CP reported in the article posted on CTV News.

Quebec’s construction commission estimates the industry needs 17,000 new workers per year, an increase of 1,000 since last year’s forecast, according to a report from the Montreal Gazette released in June.

Several locations for construction camps in Quebec

The camps will visit several locations including Trois-Rivières, Quebec City, Laval, Montreal and Sherbrooke. Participants must be at least 15 years old to attend.

A number of employer groups are criticizing the federal government’s decision to halt the acceptance of workers under the low-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program in Montreal.

With the move, Ottawa is looking to address the issues of misuse of the TFW program. However, the change will put pressure on many businesses struggling with labour shortages, according to the Conseil du patronat du Québec (CPQ).

The CCQ estimates that Quebec’s construction industry needs an average of 17,000 new workers annually to meet the demand. The province's booming construction sector has placed increasing pressure on employers to fill positions quickly, making initiatives like these camps critical to addressing the growing skills gap.

The project is spearheaded by the ACQ. It received $1.3 million in funding from the Quebec government.

Previously, Ontario announced it is investing $26 million to build a new training centre at Laborers' International Union of North America (LiUNA) 183’s skilled trades training campus in Vaughan.

The investment will help LiUNA 183 train nearly 50,000 additional construction workers. That would double their current training capacity to almost 100,000 workers, for in-demand careers in construction across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), such as bricklaying, heavy equipment operators and concrete finishing.