by Stella Shepard

PEI’s construction industry employs about 6,500 workers, and that number is steadily rising. Building permits are up on PEI since spring of 2020.
“Currently, about 600 open positions are available in the construction industry on PEI,” says Sam Sanderson, General Manager, CAPEI.
“Roughly 1,500 skilled workers will be retiring by 2029, which will result in many more job opportunities in the construction industry. We need to consider newcomers, women, Indigenous people, and youth for future employment in the industry.
“We understand that newcomers face barriers entering the industry such language, credential recognition, and cultural differences. We want to work with newcomers to overcome those challenges and to provide employment opportunities.

PEI is probably one of the safest places to live in relation to COVID-19, and people want to come from other parts of Canada, USA and the world to live and work here.”
Sam says that generally speaking, all trades in the industry are in demand, including:
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- Plumbing
- Electrical
- Roofing
- Bricklaying/Masonry
- Carpenters
- Cabinet makers
- Refrigeration (HVAC)
- Truck drivers
- Electrical power line and cable workers
- Concrete specialists
- Safety professionals
- Project managers
- Site managers
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- Architects
- Engineers
- Labourers
- Floor Installers
- Ironworkers and structural metal fabricators
- Renovation managers
- Environmental Technologists
- Heavy equipment operators
- Welders and related machine operators
- Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
- Bookkeepers
- Accountants
- IT Specialists
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“Employers will help you advance in the industry if you show incentive and a willingness to learn.”
For more information about the Construction industry on PEI, visit www.capei.ca.
For employment opportunities within the construction industry visit www.workpei.ca and www.islandbuilder.ca.