Buildforce Canada

We assist the construction industry with its management of workforce requirements by providing reliable labour market information, tools and resources.

Products & Resources

BuildForce Canada supports the labour market development needs of the construction and maintenance industry through several programs and initiatives. Explore our core products and resources below.

3 Male Construction workers at an open, active construction site

BuildForce Canada studies and forecasts long-term trends in the labour market.  The resulting BuildForce Labour Market Information (LMI) focuses exclusively on trends affecting the construction and maintenance industry, including an economic and investment outlook, and an assessment of labour availability for 34 trades and occupations for the residential and non-residential construction sectors over a ten-year period.

2 male construction workers examining a piece of construction equipment while holding an electronic tablet.

BuildForce Canada’s E-Learning Centre offers a comprehensive catalogue of online training courses designed to promote the professional development of individuals working in the Canadian construction and maintenance industry. BuildForce also provides an online library of resources and research reports.

A female construction worker holding a pen and writing a list on a clipboard.

BuildForce offers resources designed to provide employers with the information they need to meet labour market challenges and become more productive and competitive. Find research reports and self-assessment tools addressing issues that range from productivity to respectful workplace initiatives

A large scale industrial construction site with 3 cranes, piles of piping and steel rebar.

Each year, BuildForce Canada generates a number of research reports, blogs and the Construction and Maintenance Looking Forward summary reports. Access key insights and information about the industry in these reports, available through our Resource Centre.

For quick access to the latest construction insights, visit Labour Market Corner.

Construction key indicators

Construction Labour Force

1,690,300

0.3% 2024-10

Construction Employment

1,626,800

0.3% 2024-10

Construction Unemployment Rate

3.8%

-0.6% 2024-10


Canada-wide statistics.
Data source: Statistics Canada. Table 14-10-0022-01 Labour force characteristics by industry, monthly, unadjusted for seasonality.

2024 Annual Report

Arguably, construction has never been more at the centre of
public discourse than it is right now.

Not only is the sector experiencing a period of growth that has
placed significant demands on its residential and non-residential
labour forces, but it is also contending with emerging public-policy
driven requirements to build millions of new housing units and to
transition Canada’s building stock to carbon-neutral fuel sources
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

This year has been especially busy for BuildForce. In addition
to the regular series of Construction and Maintenance Looking
Forward reports, we developed three other distinct reports to
understand and highlight how the demands of our sector will
impact our labour force.

Buildforce Magazine

With upcoming retirements and an ever-increasing volume of project requirements, Canada’s skilled workforce is answering the call to meet labour-market demands.

This issue of our annual magazine focuses on apprenticeship for a very particular reason.

Programs of all shapes and sizes across the provinces are the principal pathways for new entrants to join the construction sector. Each year, thousands of people enter these programs, and each year thousands more complete their certifications and proudly enter the construction trades.

Our sector’s response to looming labour force challenges must include ongoing support for provincial apprenticeship systems as well as new programs that diversify construction’s labour force and make our industry an inclusive and welcoming place for all.

BuildForce Magazine Fall 2024 cover image

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