E-Delivery

FOREWORD In the early 1970s, the Alberta Construction Association (ACA) recognized the need for a strong safety environment on construction sites, forming its own safety committee. In an effort to broaden participation and ensure a stable source of funding, the Alberta Construction Safety Association (ACSA) was formed in November 1988. Over the past 26 years, the ACSA has built a solid reputation for leading safety training in Alberta and within Canada. The ACSA is a respected source of quality advice about safety and employees, employers and other stakeholders seek out our perspective to advance their work. The ACSA is viewed as a positive contributor to improving the safety environment in Alberta. Construction Sector Outlook Calling for growth in GDP of 3.3 per cent in 2015, TD Economics expects Alberta's economy to outperform the rest of Canada for the next few years. The pullback in crude oil prices will weigh on incomes and take some steam out of the economy going forward. Prices are expected to stabilize in early 2015. Oil sands, pipeline, storage and electric power construction projects will keep Alberta's construction activity well above historical levels. Maintenance work and sustaining capital projects will add to this activity. Alberta continues to lead Canada's construction industry; adding jobs and building the productive capacity of the provincial economy. Alberta's economic growth is tied to the development of the oil sands and dates back at least 15 years. There was a pause in 2009, but the pace of expansion resumed and, by 2013, construction employment – across all markets – had grown past the 2008 peak level. Employment more than doubled from 1997 to 2012. The Construction industry accounted for 10.5% of total employment in Alberta in 2013. Employment in this industry is expected to grow at an average rate of 2.5% from 2013 to 2017. The industry is expected to account for 11.0% of total employment in Alberta in 2015 1 . Estimates for employment in the Construction sector reflect an increase of 35200 by 2020, or 16% growth compared to 2012 2 . This employment growth is a result of estimated growth in overall investment in the Construction sector in Alberta, as summarized in the table below. One of the challenges will continue to be access to skilled, affordable labour. Over the next decade, it is anticipated there will be a significant shortage of skilled construction workers across Canada. The Construction Sector Council (CSC) estimates that over 300,000 workers will be recruited to support anticipated construction projects as well as to offset retirements. A labour shortage across Canada only adds to the challenges faced in Alberta, as companies compete for workers. The CSC estimates that Alberta's oil and gas sector alone will represent about half of the employment gap in the resource sector over the next decade 4 . MAKING SAFETY 1 Accessed from http://work.alberta.ca/documents/industry-profile-construction.pdf 2 Construction Looking Forward, An Assessment of Construction Labour Markets from 2012 to 2020 for Alberta, Construction Sector Council 3 Construction Looking Forward, An Assessment of Construction Labour Markets from 2012 to 2020 for Alberta, Construction Sector Council (*Growth rates are averages for the period, while levels are 2020 values) 4 Construction Sector Council, Construction Looking Forward: A National Summary – An Assessment of Construction Labour Markets from 2012 to 2020 Alberta Construction Sector Investment 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016- 2020 *3 Residential Investment (new housing, renovations and maintenance) 2002 $ Millions (% change) 8287 -5.2 9385 13.2 9949 6.0 10569 6.2 10865 2.8 11983 2.0 Non-residential Investment (engineering construction, building construction, industrial construction, commercial construction, institutional and government construction and maintenance) 2002 $ Millions (% change) 25240 7.6 26166 3.7 26462 1.1 26312 -0.6 27547 4.7 33413 4.0 2014 STATUS REPORT & 2015 BUSINESS PLAN

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