More workers are needed in Nanaimo and across the province due to a steady boom in the construction field. (NeedPix.com) BOOMING BUILDS Nanaimo construction industry faces labour shortage as demand skyrockets Nov 3, 2019 5:21 AM

NANAIMO — Central Vancouver Island is struggling to keep up with a boom in the construction industry, thanks to a lack of skilled labour.

Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA) CEO Rory Kulmala said there is a shortage of about 7,000-10,000 skilled workers.

“We have people retiring, people leaving for other provinces,” Kulmala said. “We’re not seeing the same number of people coming in and we could use more young people joining the trade.”

More than 236,000 people in the province rely on construction for a pay cheque, up 17 per cent since 2014.