Over the next decade, Nova Scotia’ housing construction industry faces the challenge of recruiting and retaining enough workers to meet growing demands. To keep pace with industry needs and workforce growth, an estimated 10,600 additional workers will be required by 2032. This includes replacing around 8,200 workers expected to retire, which represents 22% of the current housing construction labour force. While 7,400 new workers are anticipated to enter the field from the local population under the age of 30, a gap of 3,200 workers must still be filled through external recruitment efforts.
To address this labour shortage, the housing construction industry will need to employ a multi-faceted approach. This includes strengthening local recruitment, particularly among groups traditionally underrepresented in the construction trades, such as women, Indigenous Peoples, and newcomers. Additionally, efforts to recruit skilled workers from other industries and internationally will be critical.
The Nova Scotia apprenticeship system is a vital source of new talent for the Housing Construction industry. After a period of decline, 2022-2023 saw a recovery in apprenticeship registrations, reaching levels not seen since 2012. Several trades, including carpenters and metal fabricators, reported record numbers of new registrations.
With declining provincial birth rates and an aging workforce, competition for younger workers will intensify. Diversifying recruitment is crucial for building a sustainable labour force. In 2023, approximately 4,600 women were employed in Nova Scotia’s construction sector, but only 5% of tradespeople were women. Women are more highly represented in industrial, commercial and institutional construction, where they account for nearly 8% of the workforce, primarily in roles such as trade helpers, heavy equipment operators, and construction managers.
Similarly, Indigenous Peoples, who make up about 5% of the province’s construction workforce, present a growing opportunity for recruitment. Efforts to increase Indigenous representation in the labour force will be important as this population continues to expand.
Immigration will play an increasingly important role in Nova Scotia’s construction labour force. Immigrants now represent 9% of the workforce, nearly doubling from 5% in 2012. Over the next decade, Nova Scotia is expected to welcome approximately 154,400 new permanent and non-permanent residents, many of whom will join the core working-age population. With immigration being a key driver of labour force growth, targeted recruitment efforts will be necessary to attract skilled immigrants into the housing construction industry.
Read the full BuildForce Canada Nova Scotia Highlights 2024-2033 Report