Labor Shortages in Conventional Construction: How Steel Frame Can Help?

Skilled Labour shortage in the construction industry is expected to grow in the near future in Canada and the US. A different mindset is needed to transform the construction sector from a labour intensive industry to a machine intensive one using human being primarly in the design phase.

Introduction

The construction industry in Canada and Quebec is facing a significant labor shortage. This shortage is expected to worsen in the coming years, as the number of retiring workers outpaces the number of new entrants into the workforce. This poses a major challenge for the construction industry, as it threatens to slow down projects, increase costs, and hinder economic growth. Also the current housing shortage, in almost every Canadian Province, put more pressure on construction skilled labour demand in order to close the gap between demand and supply. 

Automated Light Steel Frame construction, reduces the number of skilled worker needed by transfering the cutting process to automated machines, pre-assembling walls, roofs inside factory with unskilled labour (paid close to the minimum provincial minimum wage) and in many cases eliminating the need for heavy steel or concrete beam and columns (since light steel structure is designed to be load bearing).

The Declining Construction Workforce

According to BuildForce Canada (a national organization that provides labor market information for the construction industry), between 2021 and 2030, there will be 259,100 construction workers retiring versus 228,100 construction workers entering the constrcution labour market. A deficit of 31,000 construction workers during this period. This shortage is particularly acute in Quebec, where there will be a deficit of 8,200 workers during the same period.
The causes of this shortage are complex and multifaceted. One major factor is the aging workforce, as a large number of construction workers are reaching retirement age. Additionally, the construction industry has historically struggled to attract young workers, due to factors such as low wages, long hours, and the perception of the industry as being dangerous and unskilled.

Residential Housing Shortage accross Canada

According to APCHQ analysis (Consultations prébudgétaires 2023-2024 du gouvernement du Québec - Recommandations conjointes de l'ACQ, de l'APCHQ, de la CORPIQ et de l'IDU), the current gap between supply and demand of residential homes is 100 000 units across the province of Quebec.

Situations in BC and Ontario are not better than Quebec, according to CMHC housing market insight (october 2022), we have a similar housing supply deficit in these two provinces.

As an example, according to the Smart Posperity Institute – August 2022 report, there was a shortage of 471, 500 house in Ontario.

Light Steel Frame: A Solution to the Labor Shortage

Light Steel frame construction offers a potential solution to the labor shortage in the construction industry. Offsite automation in steel frame construction allows for the production of steel frame components in a controlled environment, reducing the need for labor on site. This can significantly reduce the number of workers required for a project, helping to alleviate the labor shortage and keep projects on schedule.

A More Sustainable Future

A More Sustainable FutureThe benefits of automation extend beyond just efficiency and waste reduction. Automation can also play a role in improving worker safety. By taking over dangerous tasks like working at heights or handling heavy materials, robots can help to reduce workplace injuries and fatalities.

Looking towards the future, automation has the potential to revolutionize the construction industry entirely. Advancements in areas like 3D printing for construction and autonomous vehicles for material handling could transform the way we build. These technologies have the potential to further reduce waste, improve worker safety, and minimize the environmental footprint of construction projects.

Benefits Beyond Labor Reduction

The benefits of steel frame construction extend beyond labor reduction. Steel frame buildings are also faster to erect than traditional buildings, which can further reduce project timelines and costs. Additionally, steel frame buildings are more durable and more resistant to damage and fire than traditional buildings, which can reduce long-term maintenance costs and increase the value of the building.

Another indirect benefit is that, Light steel structure can be designed to be load bearing. That means that traditional structural elements such as heavy steel columns and beams, concrete columns and beams are elimnated (along with their cost, time and labour requirements).

Conclusions

The labor shortage in the construction industry is a serious challenge, but steel frame construction offers a potential solution. By reducing the need for labor on site, steel frame can help to alleviate the shortage and keep projects on schedule. Additionally, the benefits of steel frame construction extend beyond labor reduction, including faster construction times, reduced costs, and increased durability. As the construction industry faces the challenges of the labor shortage, steel frame is emerging as a viable