According to the Labour Force Survey for PEI, released March 7, 2025 the number of people working in construction rose by 2,200 from Februrary 2024 to February 2025.
Alicia Packwood is Executive Officer of the Canadian Home Builders Association– PEI.
The labour shortage in residential construction remains a challenge across PEI. An estimated 940 workers, or 14 percent of the current labour force, are expected to retire in the next few years. “The industry cannot afford to lose these workers,” Alicia says. “We are working on how we can replace all these people.”
She says many low or no cost training programs and on-the-job training opportunities are available, but there are not enough people to fill the gaps. A BuildForce report says in the next five years, employers will be competing even more to hire Construction Managers, Carpenters, Electricians, Plumbers, Drywallers, Painters and General Labourers.
For more information about a career in residential construction or to connect with a CHBA-PEI member, contact Alicia Packwood at 902-393-2093 or email alicia@chba-pei.ca
Visit www.chba-pei.ca
For the BuildForce Canada Residential Scenario Outlook, visit:
www.buildforce.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Residential-scenario-outlook.pdf
Career Finder: Find the construction careers that fit your interests and lifestyle.
Some job titles
- General Contractor
- General Labourer
- Red Seal and Apprentice Carpenter
- Fine Carpenters
- Electrician
- Plumber
- Drywaller
- Tiling and flooring specialist
- Painter
- Bricklayer
- Foundation specialist
- Architect
- Surveyor
- Roofer
CHBA-PEI, which has about 30 members, is the provincial arm of the national organization.
Programs to help enter the trades
- Trade HERizons – for women interested in entering the trades: www.wnpei.org/projects
- Construction Association of PEI offers training programs such as Youth In Trades, the Skilled Newcomer in Construction, and Discover Carpentry.
For more information call 902-368-3303. Visit www.capei.ca - Holland College offers a number of programs to gain employment in the construction industry.
- UPEI’s Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering.
- Apprenticeship – earn while you learn
To enter the apprenticeship program, a person must:
- Be at least 16 years of age
- Have a high school completion certificate or equivalent
- Be working in one of PEI’s 58 designated trades with a suitable employer
- Other eligibility and allowances may apply.
For more details, visit www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/workforce-advanced-learning-and-population/youth-apprenticeship-program-asap.
Trades education and training
- SkillPlan- Canada’s construction industry needs to replace over 250,000 retiring workers. Low Canadian birth rates, competition from other sectors and the need to diversify the workforce also make it difficult for organizations to recruit and retain new workers. They work with organizations to address labour demands through skill building and training of new workers, fast-tracking apprentices and helping to diversify their workforce.
- WILWorks Youth in Manufacturing summer program
Business in the Open Podcast – Join Vanessa Smith of Refy Agency as she talks to entrepreneurs on PEI in the Construction – Retail sector:
PEI Construction – Residential news you can use
In the trades, apprentices are increasing, but not enough are making it to certification – CBC
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Occupational Profiles
WorkPEI provides a searchable directory of occupations which includes job outlooks for PEI. Use the Occupations Directory to search and download over 500 occupational profiles.
PEI Employers
WorkPEI maintains a searchable directory of its member employers. View an employer’s company profile to learn more about the business, browse active job listings, locate the business on a map and more.
Related videos
- Employment in residential construction on PEI
- Trades and technology programs Holland College offers across PEI
For more information:
- The Construction Association of PEI, call 902-368-3303. Visit www.capei.ca.
- For more about Buildforce Canada, visit www.buildforce.ca/en.
- For more about the Canadian Home Builders Association-PEI, call 902-367-6125. Visit www.chba-pei.ca.
