Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs) – part of the solution Canadian Home Builders’ Association NETAC Meeting June 6, 2008 Ottawa, Ontario

Temporary Foreign WorkersTemporary Foreign Workers(TFWs) – part of the solution(TFWs) – part of the solution

Canadian Home Builders’ AssociationCanadian Home Builders’ AssociationNETAC MeetingNETAC MeetingJune 6, 2008June 6, 2008Ottawa, OntarioOttawa, Ontario

Workforce RealitiesWorkforce Realities

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1,000

1,100

1976 1979 1982 1985 1988 1991 1994 1997 2000 2003 2006 2009 2012 2015

5%

8%

11%

14%

17%

20%

23%

26%

29%

32%'000s

EmploymentLabour Force

Unemployment Rate(Right Axis)

(55% increase in employment 1998 - 2007)Employment & Labour Force, Construction Industry, CanadaEmployment & Labour Force, Construction Industry, Canada

CSC trades / occupation are 70% of the Construction IndustrySource: Statistics Canada and Construction Sector Council (Preliminary)


Source: Statistics Canada and Construction Sector Council (Preliminary)

Net Employment Change & Construction Retirements Canada, 2007-2016Net Employment Change & Construction Retirements Canada, 2007-2016

135,000

160,000

50,000

70,000

90,000

110,000

130,000

150,000

170,000

190,000

Net Employment Gain Total Retirements

295,000 workers need to be recruited and trained by 2016



15%

18%

19%

20%

20%

23%

23%

23%

24%

25%

19%

10% 13% 15% 18% 20% 23% 25% 28%

AB

SK

ON

BC

MB

NS

PEI

QC

NB

NL

CAN

Cumulative Construction Workforce Retirements as % of 2007 Workforce, 2007 - 2016Cumulative Construction Workforce Retirements as % of 2007 Workforce, 2007 - 2016


34%

32%

28%

31%

26%

24%

23%

23%

20%

23%

25%

23%

24%

23%

23%

19%

20%

18%

15%

20%

10% 13% 15% 18% 20% 23% 25% 28% 30% 33% 35% 38%

NL

NS

NB

PEI

QC

ON

MB

SK

AB

BC

Managers All Trades


Cumulative Retirements as % of 2007 Workforce, Construction Managers, 2007 - 2016Cumulative Retirements as % of 2007 Workforce, Construction Managers, 2007 - 2016


31%

27%

27%

26%

27%

21%

24%

19%

18%

22%

25%

23%

24%

23%

23%

19%

20%

18%

15%

20%

10% 13% 15% 18% 20% 23% 25% 28% 30% 33%

NL

NS

NB

PEI

QC

ON

MB

SK

AB

BC

Supervisors All Trades


Cumulative Retirements as % of 2007 Workforce, Contractors & Supervisors, 2007 - 2016Cumulative Retirements as % of 2007 Workforce, Contractors & Supervisors, 2007 - 2016

Temporary Foreign WorkersTemporary Foreign Workers(TFWs) – part of the solution(TFWs) – part of the solution

TFWs – part of the solutionTFWs – part of the solutionImmigration programs that target skilled workers:Immigration programs that target skilled workers:

Economic Immigrant Program Economic Immigrant Program • includes both skilled worker class and business class immigrantsincludes both skilled worker class and business class immigrants• not a significant source of supply of workers in the skilled trades for

construction industry - related to the point scoring system

Provincial Nominee ProgramProvincial Nominee Program• operates under bilateral agreements between the federal government operates under bilateral agreements between the federal government

and provincial governments and involves provinces to a greater and provincial governments and involves provinces to a greater degree in the selection of immigrants. degree in the selection of immigrants.

• nomination through this process removes the necessity to meet CIC nomination through this process removes the necessity to meet CIC point screening requirementspoint screening requirements

Temporary Foreign Worker ProgramTemporary Foreign Worker Program• applicants are allowed temporary entry into Canada if they have an

offer for work, meet the usual visitor requirements, intend to stay in Canada only temporarily, and have the skills and qualifications needed to perform the work.

TFWs – part of the solutionTFWs – part of the solutionImmigration programs that target skilled workers (cont’d)Immigration programs that target skilled workers (cont’d)::

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

CEC will facilitate the transition from temporary status to permanent CEC will facilitate the transition from temporary status to permanent residence for temporary foreign workers and international students residence for temporary foreign workers and international students with Canadian degrees and Canadian work experiencewith Canadian degrees and Canadian work experience

For Temporary Foreign Workers - workers who hold a secondary For Temporary Foreign Workers - workers who hold a secondary school diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and have a least school diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and have a least two years of recent (i.e. within three years preceding the application for two years of recent (i.e. within three years preceding the application for CEC) full-time Canadian skilled work experienceCEC) full-time Canadian skilled work experience

Applicants will be selected if they meet the parameters noted above, Applicants will be selected if they meet the parameters noted above, have legally come to Canada to work or study, have valid temporary have legally come to Canada to work or study, have valid temporary status in Canada at the time of application, and have moderate official status in Canada at the time of application, and have moderate official language proficiencylanguage proficiency

TFWs – part of the solutionTFWs – part of the solution TFW study provided an TFW study provided an

opportunity to examine the entire opportunity to examine the entire process that involves a number process that involves a number of stakeholderof stakeholder

Describe the scope of the TFW Describe the scope of the TFW programprogram

Identify entry points, process, Identify entry points, process, organizations involved, and roles organizations involved, and roles they play in bringing workers into they play in bringing workers into CanadaCanada

Describe work preparedness stepsDescribe work preparedness steps

Identify gaps in services and Identify gaps in services and supportssupports

Determine what is working well Determine what is working well and what needs improvingand what needs improving

TFWs – part of the solutionTFWs – part of the solution Key government players in the TFW process:

Human Resources & Social Development CanadaHuman Resources & Social Development Canada Labour market opinion prepared by Service CanadaLabour market opinion prepared by Service Canada

Citizenship and Immigration CanadaCitizenship and Immigration Canada Applications for work permits & issues temporary resident visasApplications for work permits & issues temporary resident visas

Canada Border ServicesCanada Border Services Screen workers & issues work permitsScreen workers & issues work permits

Provincial Apprenticeship AuthoritiesProvincial Apprenticeship Authorities Assessing foreign credentials & experienceAssessing foreign credentials & experience

TFWs – part of the solutionTFWs – part of the solution TFWs are part of how the construction

industry is meeting short term demand:

Temporary foreign workers are currently filling critical human resource gaps within the Canadian construction industry

Being utilized as a provincial / territorial / regional solution to meet demand for construction services and resulting from growing retirement rates

Study revealed that TFWs are meeting peak demand needs, especially in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario

TFWs – part of the solutionTFWs – part of the solution

Only a small proportion of TFWs work in construction In 2005, just under 100,000 TFWs came into

Canada for all sectors of the economy

In 2006, 165,000

In 2005, just over 3,000 of those TFWs worked in occupations related to construction

3% of all TFWs worked in construction


• TFWs are small part of total construction workforce

Number of TFWs in the Canadian construction industry almost doubled between 2004 and 2005 - from 1,765 to 3,056

Growing tends – recent numbers for Alberta show dramatic and exponential growth

In 2005, total construction labour force was just over 1 million workers - in that same year, new TFW work permits issued for construction work was just over 3,000

This was less than half of 1% of workforce


Considerable investment bringing TFWs into Canada - borne by the industry (employer and labour groups) and the TFW

Estimates range between $12,000 to $18,000 to bring in a TFW Anecdotal information from industry interviews

Examples include industry time and effort of navigating through a complex system and the hard costs borne by the TFW applying for a work permit and cost of recruiters

TFWs – part of the solutionTFWs – part of the solution In 2005, Construction industry

TFWs were concentrated in three provinces

Ontario – 1,009 British Columbia – 882 Alberta – 749 All other provinces – 815

TFW highly utilized in provinces with highest concentration of construction activity

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200

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1200

2005

2005 W o rk P erm its Issu ed b y P ro vin ce

B C AB S K M N ON QC N B N S P E N L


127

62

58

51

45

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140

In su lato rs

C arp en ters

T rad es/H elp ers /L ab o u rers

Iro n W o rkers

S team fitters /P ip efitters

Top Occupations in AlbertaTop Occupations in Alberta

Work Permits Granted in 2005


111

94

73

63

53

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

C arp en ters

R es./C o m m . In sta lle rs


In d u stria l E lectric ian s

M illw rig h ts

Top Occupations in British ColumbiaTop Occupations in British Columbia



331

131

83

58

41

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350


C arp en ters

In d u stria l M ech an ics

C o n stru ctio nM an ag ers

B rick layers

Top Occupations in OntarioTop Occupations in Ontario


TFWs – part of the solutionTFWs – part of the solution Alberta has seen exponential growth in the use of

the TFW program for construction in 2006 and 2007

Modest increases in Ontario and British Columbia

Labour Market Opinions

2004Approved

2005Approved

2006Approved

May 2007

Approved

May 2007

Pending

Alberta 386 1,326 3,801 3,135 4,697

British Columbia

968 1,946 1,413 1,306 796

Ontario 1,497 2,202 2,446 1,251 234

TFWs – part of the solutionTFWs – part of the solution 4,851 TFWs worked in the 4,851 TFWs worked in the

Canadian construction Canadian construction industry in 2004/2005 industry in 2004/2005

4,351 came from a total of 20 4,351 came from a total of 20 countriescountries

Over 50%, 2,553 of these Over 50%, 2,553 of these workers came from just four workers came from just four countries:countries:

1,366 – United States1,366 – United States

439 – United Kingdom439 – United Kingdom

439 – Philippines439 – Philippines

309 - Germany309 - Germany0

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C o u n tr y o f L as t Kn o w n Pe r m an e n t A d d r e s sT e m p o r ar y Fo r e ig n W o r k e r s En te r in g C an ad a

(2004 - 2006)

Fin lan d

Hu n g ar y

C h ile

Slo vak

M alays ia

In d ia

Sw itz e lan d

Uk r ain e

C h in a

So u th A fr ica

Italy

Po r tu g al

Ro m an ia

Po lan d

M e xico

Ge r m an y

Ph ilip in e s

Un k o w n

UK

US


INSTITUTIONAL, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL OCCUPATIONSINSTITUTIONAL, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL OCCUPATIONS

OccupationOccupation Top Countries of Last Permanent Residence Top Countries of Last Permanent Residence

Industrial Electrician Italy, Philippines, Norway, Estonia

Steamfitters / Pipefitter United States, Philippines, United Kingdom, South Africa, Poland

Boilermaker China, United States

Ironworkers United Kingdom, United States, Philippines, South Africa, India

Skilled Welders United States, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Philippines, Thailand

Industrial Instrument Technicians and Mechanics United States, Germany

Power System Electricians United States

Millwright / Industrial Mechanics United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Malaysia

Crane Operator United States, United Kingdom, Costa Rica

Heavy Equipment Operators United States, Costa Rica, Germany, United Kingdom

Glazers Netherlands

RECRUITMENT SOURCE COUNTRIESRECRUITMENT SOURCE COUNTRIES


NEW HOME BUILDING AND RENOVATION OCCUPATIONSNEW HOME BUILDING AND RENOVATION OCCUPATIONS

OccupationOccupation Top Countries of Last Permanent ResidenceTop Countries of Last Permanent Residence

Carpenter United States, Germany, Romania, Switzerland

Bricklayer Portugal, Germany, Moldova, United States, United Kingdom

Tilesetter United States, Uruguay, Germany, Estonia, France, Korea

Roofer/ Shingler Portugal, United States, Norway, Serbia/Montenegro, United Kingdom

Insulators United States

Painter/ Decorator United Kingdom, Germany, Portugal

Floor Installer United States, United Kingdom, Norway

Plasterer/Drywaller United States, Bulgaria, France, Hungary, Norway

Residential/ Commercial Installer Slovak Republic, United States, Finland, Poland, Denmark

Trade Helpers/ Labourers Mexico, United States, Philippines, India



CROSS-SECTORAL OCCUPATIONSCROSS-SECTORAL OCCUPATIONS


Plasterers, Drywallers, FinishersPoland, United States, Norway, Serbia/Montenegro, United Kingdom

ElectricianItaly, Philippines, Norway, Estonia

PlumberUnited States, Philippines, United Kingdom, South Africa, Poland

Elevator ConstructorsUnited States

Concrete FinisherChina, United States

Refrigeration MechanicUnited Kingdom, United States, Philippines, South Africa, India

Other Trades Helpers & Labourers United States, Philippines



CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT OCCUPATIONSCONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT OCCUPATIONS


Construction Managers United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden

CONTRACTORS AND SUPERVISORS

Electrical Trades United States, United Kingdom

Pipefitting Trades United States, South Africa

Metal Forming, Shaping United States

Carpentry Trades United States

Mechanic Trades United States, Italy

Heavy Construction Equipment United States, Germany, Austria, Germany

Other Construction Trades United States, Japan, Netherlands, Austria, United Kingdom


TFWs – part of the solutionTFWs – part of the solution Successes:Successes:

High quality of foreign workers are meeting labour requirements - - anecdotal from interviews

Federal governments openness to work with industry to ensure program relevance in meeting labour market needs

Flexibility of the program in the range of TFWs entering

Employer awareness of the program is growing

Federal / provincial cooperation Working groups on TFW (Alberta and British Columbia)

TFWs – part of the solutionTFWs – part of the solution Challenges:Challenges:

Construction is a small business communityConstruction is a small business community 80 % of contractors have less than 15 employees80 % of contractors have less than 15 employees No Human Resource DepartmentsNo Human Resource Departments

TFW system is complex and requires expertise to navigateTFW system is complex and requires expertise to navigate

Certain amount of misinformation and misconceptions circulating, Certain amount of misinformation and misconceptions circulating, in part a result of a rapidly changing situationin part a result of a rapidly changing situation

Different perspectives on how well it is workingDifferent perspectives on how well it is working

Many stakeholders want more monitoring and enforcementMany stakeholders want more monitoring and enforcement

Government human resources insufficient to meet increased Government human resources insufficient to meet increased demands demands

TFWs – part of the solutionTFWs – part of the solution Services and Support GapsServices and Support Gaps

Clear, accurate, up-to-date information Clear, accurate, up-to-date information

Ongoing efforts needed to adjust the Canadian Ongoing efforts needed to adjust the Canadian immigration system immigration system

Support to small and medium-sized firms Support to small and medium-sized firms

Increased effective reporting, monitoring and enforcementIncreased effective reporting, monitoring and enforcement

Support for worker rights and responsibilities Support for worker rights and responsibilities

Partnerships with Immigrant Serving AgenciesPartnerships with Immigrant Serving Agencies

TFWs – part of the solutionTFWs – part of the solution Next Steps . . . . TFW Web Guide for IndustryNext Steps . . . . TFW Web Guide for Industry

CSC is developing web based guide to help industry navigate CSC is developing web based guide to help industry navigate through the TFW processthrough the TFW process

Describe the TFWs Human Resource (HR) process: Job Describe the TFWs Human Resource (HR) process: Job Analysis, Recruitment, Selection, Job Offer, Orientation and Analysis, Recruitment, Selection, Job Offer, Orientation and Integration, and RetentionIntegration, and Retention

Highlight roles played by multiple bodies – labour unions, Highlight roles played by multiple bodies – labour unions, employers, construction associations, governments employers, construction associations, governments

Checklist to make sure that you have not missed anythingChecklist to make sure that you have not missed anything

Provide a number of resources – phone line inquiries and links Provide a number of resources – phone line inquiries and links to web sites – which can help you get answers to any other to web sites – which can help you get answers to any other questionsquestions

TFWs – part of the solutionTFWs – part of the solution Next Steps . . . . TFW Web Guide for WorkersNext Steps . . . . TFW Web Guide for Workers

Overview of the Construction Industry in CanadaOverview of the Construction Industry in Canada Types of Jobs in ConstructionTypes of Jobs in Construction Foreign Credential RecognitionForeign Credential Recognition Apprenticeship Training SystemApprenticeship Training System Finding a JobFinding a Job Coming to CanadaComing to Canada

o Visas, Applying for a Work Permit, Medical and Health Insurance etc . . .Visas, Applying for a Work Permit, Medical and Health Insurance etc . . .

Rights and ResponsibilitiesRights and Responsibilities Orientation and IntegrationOrientation and Integration Staying In CanadaStaying In Canada Useful ResourcesUseful Resources

Questions ?Questions ?

Questions ?Questions ?

Documents

Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs) – part of the solution Canadian Home Builders’ Association NETAC Meeting June 6, 2008 Ottawa, Ontario