Fund invests in construction industry workforce

Chamber advocacy is helping make changes that will increase housing supply. This is critical to a sustainable economy. We need more homes for people of all incomes so our region remains attractive as a place to grow a business, build a career and raise a family.

One of the keys to building more houses is for our construction sector to have enough skilled workers. The industry is expecting more than 72,000 jobs to open up over the next decade.

A new fund, announced today, will provide grants of up to $5 million per project. The Workforce Innovation Fund will:

• support industry to adopt new technologies and improve productivity
• improve workplace culture and human resource practices to attract and retain workers, including under-represented and diverse workers
• develop and support innovative training practices
• elevate the prestige and awareness of the industry and a career in construction
• and streamline career pathways for newcomers.

“We continue to work with all levels of government, our partner organizations and our national chamber network to call for investment in the construction industry,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “Builders need to have the people and resources required to improve our critical housing supply.”