Construction outlook for 2020
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:
- 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
- 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
“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.
Riley Aiello is the HR Manager. He regularly meets with CAPEI members and will post open positions on www.workpei.ca and IslandBuilder.ca. “I am working with companies to see what their needs are and what positions are hardest to fill,” says Riley. “I look forward to raising awareness of the construction industry on PEI and helping to attract skilled trades workers.”
“Our members are so busy managing their work such as accounting, estimating, scheduling and staff,” Sam says. “They have told us time and time again they don’t have the time to post a job. We hope the service will promote trades and help match job seekers with employers.”
Youth in trades
CAPEI has administered a Youth in Trades program for 25 years. The program accepts youth at risk and helps them build a trades career.
“The program is tremendous in helping youth get apprenticeships. The Government of Canada has given funding for the next three years through its Youth Employment Strategy to continue the work.”
Salary ranges for PEI construction workers
“For the most part, wages for entry-level positions range from $13 to $18 an hour,” says Sam. “Wages for experienced trades people range from $14 to $22, and certified trades workers earn $25 an hour plus. There is job security, and many companies offer benefits.”
“We are still ‘Building PEI one day at a time’ and facing challenges daily/hourly to maintain our sites, projects and people. Our number one focus is the safety of our workers and their families. When applying for work in this industry, it is very important to be well educated on how to keep yourself and others safe on a job site with regards to COVID-19.” For more information on safety procedures, click here
For more information about the Construction Association of PEI, call 902-368-3303. Visit www.capei.ca
Construction – Commercial on Prince Edward Island – Company hiring practices
- ADI - Atlantic Door Installation Inc, Charlottetown
- Confederation Construction and Interiors Inc., Charlottetown and Stratford
- Efficiency First Air Sealing Inc., Murray River
- Kennedy Metals, Pleasant Valley
- Leading Edge Group, Charlottetown
- Pigeons Floors & Décor, Montague
- Ravenwood Stairways, Bloomfield
- Red Fox Flooring Warehouse, Charlottetown
- Skygate Videography Inc., Slemon Park
- Spring Valley Building Centre Ltd., Kensington, O’Leary Building Centre Ltd., O’Leary, and Town & Country Carpet One, Summerside
- Thomas Edison Electric, Summerside
- Timber Mart / J.C. HandyMan Services & Sales, Alberton
- Weatherskin PEI, Stratford
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Exploring ways to work in the construction industry on PEI
- “We encourage anyone interested in trades or those who are skilled tradespeople to go to our website at capei.ca to find a list of our great members and contact them directly,” says Sam.
- Visit workpei.ca and IslandBuilder.ca
- Set up a meeting with Riley Aiello at CAPEI, email [email protected] or call 902-368-3303.
- Contact Canadian Home Builders Association-PEI at 902-367-6125.
- Visit chba-pei.ca. The association is happy to speak with anyone interested in the field and to suggest ways to get started in a trade on PEI.
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/topic/apprenticeship–and–certification
Trades education and training
Holland College offers a number of programs to gain employment in the construction industry. Visit www.hollandcollege.com/programs
UPEI’s Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering. Visit www.upei.ca/engineering
 | For more information about the Construction Association sector on 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. |
 | Click to watch Construction Industry videos. |
| Click to watch videos of the many trades and technology programs Holland College offers across PEI. |
 | Click for related articles on the Construction Industry. |