There are fears that the recent Canadian Government overtures to foreign construction professionals may further affect the Nigerian construction sector riddled with challenges. A professional in the sector ( name withheld) said this may lead to massive exodus of professionals in the Sector that may affect the already challenged sector.
The Canadian immigration Minister Marc Miller announced that it’s allocating 6,000 spots for undocumented construction workers and easing apprenticeship rules for foreign workers.He said: ‘Effective immediately, qualified temporary foreign workers enrolling in apprenticeships can study without needing a separate study permit. Previously, foreign workers were required to obtain study permits before registering for apprenticeship training programs in Canada’.He further introduced an advisory council to influence federal construction policy, including recommendations on wages and workforce intake.
Miller stated that up to 14,000 foreign construction workers may be admitted but did not specify permanent or temporary pathways.Currently, Canada is relying on immigration to fill critical labour shortages in construction, worsening the nation’s ongoing housing crisis.It’s Mortgage and Housing Corporation estimates six million additional homes are needed by 2030 to restore affordability.Miller admitted a domestic workforce gap, saying, “as hard as we try, we cannot train them all in Canada.”On February 27, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) expanded Express Entry, prioritizing 19 new trades, including construction managers.
