Oilsands development creates growth in the construction industry in Fort McMurray and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB), as well as the rest of Alberta and Canada. The primary projects are construction of new or, expansion of, existing oilsands facilities. Pipeline and power (cogeneration) projects are secondary and do not proceed without the oil-producing project. Commercial and residential construction is also an important part of the construction industry in the RMWB. There is a wide range of employment levels in construction and it is an industry you can work you way up in. While some trades are at full employment, others are slower but anticipate jobs will increase as construction projects progress in the next few years. Factors that affect the number of jobs:

• Stage of construction determines the number and type of workers that are required.
• Employment levels on all construction jobs start off low, ramping up to a peak that will taper off until the project is complete.
• Plant turnarounds or shutdowns employ many tradespeople for short periods of time.
• Scheduled turnarounds occur in the spring/summer, however unscheduled shutdowns follow a mishap or anticipated need for maintenance or repair work.
• Season and weather can affect the amount and type of work.
• Contractors for some major industrial construction projects employ tradespeople through union halls. View the list of local unions for contact information.

There has been an increased demand for all trades but especially for journeymen with Alberta trade certification or Interprovincial Red Seal certification and certified apprentices.

When examining the values of Alberta Economic Development's list of Alberta Major Projects:

• In 2007, 44 per cent of the value of Alberta's major projects are located in the RMWB.
• In 2007, 62 per cent of Alberta’s listed oilsands projects are located in the municipality.

NEW! Life of an Oil Sands Construction Project

Oilsands Development

Proposed projects are at various stages of development prior to company board of director's decision to proceed. An active project has all the regulatory approvals and the company's decision to go ahead with plans to construct facilities.Oilsands projects are complex so they may enter a pre-construction phase to do more detailed engineering work, construct access roads and camps, and award contracts.

All active construction projects have three stages between the start and end of construction:

• Ramp-up – few workers are required in the beginning but the numbers increase.
• Peak – the maximum number of workers are working on the construction project.
• Ramp-down – the number of workers are reduced until construction is complete.

As projects, or portions of the projects, near completion, commissioning begins. At this stage, equipment and processes are tested, adjusted and made ready for start-up. When construction work is completed, the construction work force leaves the project and the project is signed over to the owner/producer (i.e. the oilsands company). Construction management alliances formed specifically for the project are dissolved. Many workers may go to another construction project. Qualified workers may find operations or maintenance opportunities at the new facility.

Residential and Commercial Development

The residential and commercial construction industries are facing the same problems finding skilled workers as the oilsands projects. Companies need ticketed tradespeople, or entry-level workers willing to work hard and care about the final product. According to the Alberta Learning Information Service, the construction industry (including residential, business and commercial, industrial, engineering works, and subdivision and development of land) in Alberta employed about 161,400 people in 2005. The industry is expected to grow by a yearly average of 2.7 per cent, employing about 184,600 workers in 2010. Provincially within the industry, residential construction will slow down slightly in the next few years, but will still remain at relatively high levels. In Fort McMurray though, residential construction will not see signs of lessening as increasing numbers of people moving to the area for oilsands work will increase the need for housing.

• Residential housing projects are at various stages of development. Please contact us to request a list of local contractors.
• Urban Development Institute Wood Buffalo posts a list of local contractors on their website.
• Also check out the website Trade Up!
• Valid CSTS (Construction Safety Training System) certification is required at all industrial construction sites.
  

Visit (7 NOC) Trades, Transport and Equipment Operators and Related Occupations for links to related company websites. Also, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service for more information on specific jobs, wages and education needed.

For more information on Residential Construction, look at the April 2007 Labour Market News.