Industry

The residential construction industry in BC

Residential construction is an important economic driver of the economy of British Columbia, contributing $3.5 billion to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2008 - doubled from 1997 to 2008 and roughly three times the value of Non-Residential (Industrial, Commercial and Institutional) construction. It compares to $2.4 billion for Forestry and Logging, $4.4 billion for Oil and Gas, and $3.4 billion for Wood Product Manufacturing for the same period.

The Residential Building Industry is essential for the survival and growth of hundreds of companies in other industry sectors, notably the Specialty Trade Contracting sector that includes specialty plumbing, roofing, siding, flooring and painting companies. The industry is also a major market for business in the Building Supply sector as well as a host to other sectors including Forest Products and Manufacturing.

The 2006 Census estimated that approximately 50,600 individuals were in the Residential Building Construction labour force. A significant but unknown proportion of individuals classified in Specialty Trade Contracting work full-time or part-time in Residential Building Construction. For this reason, Statistics Canada estimates the size of the residential labour force as seriously underestimated. In reality, the number of individuals who work directly in the sector may be closer to 100,000 that the 50,600 estimated.

British Columbia’s residential construction industry, through RCITO, is providing national leadership in developing a new approach to trades training. Key to this is the continued recognition and facilitation by the ITA in developing high quality apprenticeship specializations for residential trades.

Together, RCITO and BC’s residential construction industry are creating a flexible, adaptable training system that is responsive to emerging market needs.