A new Construction Sector Council report says that government infrastructure spending will help B.C.'s construction industry weather the recession better than other industries.
While the recession has affected residential and commercial construction initiatives, major projects are planned in the mining, manufacturing and utility industries.
According to George Gritziotis, the council's executive director, "These projects, coupled with the government's infrastructure projects, will help boost growth in B.C.'s construction industry over the next few years."
The report suggests that, over the short-term, government-related construction programs will play an important role for creating employment opportunities. As economic conditions improve in the next eight years, construction is expected to expand with the return of consumer and business confidence.
The report said B.C.'s construction industry will need 26,000 new workers between now and 2017 to replace retiring baby boomers. Another 6,400 workers are expected to be needed to meet the projected increase in medium to long-term construction activity.