November 29, 2022 – CBC PEI: New construction work is slowing down on PEI, and there are more Islanders working in the trades, but Fiona has added pressure on an industry that has been running overheated for years.
“The industry is working at about 127 or 128 per cent right now,” said Sam Sanderson, general manager of the Construction Industry Association of PEI.
“It’s tough sledding out there.”
With PEI’s rapidly growing population has come the need for new housing and other infrastructure. The construction industry has struggled to keep up with the demand.
Seventeen-year-old Sam Cassibo and 22-year-old Bradley Keus hope to be part of clearing up the backlog. The two are currently enrolled in a 20-week Youth in Trades program sponsored by the construction association last week. The program includes a variety of trades — drywalling, finish carpentry, plumbing — as well as safety protocols and general life skills.
Keus said working in construction is a natural choice for him, but he hasn’t nailed down exactly what trade he might get into.
Read the full CBC PEI story by Kevin Yarr here