Transcript Presentation(Stantec_17Sep11)

BC Building Industry in
the Next Decade
Sid Siddiqui, P. Eng.
Vice President, Buildings Engineering
September 17, 2011
BC Economic Outlook
• Modest GDP growth of 2.0% to 2.5% expected till 2013
• Government spending on infrastructure will decline as
deficit reduction measures are implemented
• Rate of inflation will remain below 2% in the near term
• BC construction industry will have the highest growth
rate among domestic industries in the near term
• Unemployment rate will decline each year to 2013 but
will remain high
Global Pressures
• Global uncertainty
• European debt crisis
• Pessimistic US economic outlook. Another US
recession?
• Market turmoil
• Crisis in middle east
The Construction Industry
• About 125,000 people work directly in the
construction industry, representing 7% of the
province's workforce.
• Total value of construction in BC averages about $15
billion a year, or 15% of the gross provincial product.
The construction industry includes many
different types of activities
BC Real GDP Growth Forecast, %
Source: Construction Sector Council
Housing Starts Forecast (000s)
Ontario
Quebec
Alberta
BC
Manitoba, NB,
Nova Scotia,
Newfoundland
and Labrador
Source: Construction Sector Council
BC Engineering Construction Forecast, $M
Source: Construction Sector Council
Engineers Canada – Forecast
• High demand for experienced engineers (> 5years) in
current and coming years
• High demand for engineers with specialized technical
skills
• For BC, demand will remain moderate until 2014 and
significant shortage is expected after 2014
• Industrial/manufacturing, aerospace and petroleum
engineers will see the highest demand in Canada
• Graduations in engineering is slowly rising, while
immigration of engineers is declining
Engineers Canada - Forecast
• Retirements will cause an increase in demand
• Employers are seeking business experience and
specialized skills
• Surplus of recent graduates with no experience – not
many jobs available for non-experienced engineers
• Some employers are off-shoring jobs or hiring
engineers with experience from other countries under
temporary foreign worker program
Engineers Canada - Challenges for
Engineering Profession
•Graduation to work transition
•Employers looking for experience and special technical
skills – serious oversupply of young graduates
•Challenging of moving experienced engineers from
declining sectors to growing sectors
Consulting Industry in BC
• Consulting firms in BC employ over 10,000 engineers,
geoscientists, technologists, technicians and support
staff
• Range of services provided by engineering consultants
include:
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Buildings and Structures
Municipal Engineering
Transportation
Natural Resources, Energy and Environment
Specialized, High Tech and Soft Engineering
Building Sectors
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Heath care
Educational facilities
Public transit facilities
Recreational facilities
Commercial
Residential
Manufacturing and industrial buildings
Institutional and municipal buildings
Sustainable design
Project Delivery Methods
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Design, Bid, Build
Design Build
Construction Management
Public Private Partnership (Design, Build, Operate and
Finance)
• EPCM (Engineer, Procure, Construct, Manage)
The Green Economy and Green Jobs!
What is Green economy?
•Creation of green jobs
•Promotion of sustainable economic growth
•Prevention of environmental pollution, global warming,
resource depletion and ecological degradation 1
The green economy in BC is a growing trend across all
industries and sectors.
The green elements of B.C.’s economy are growing faster
than the economy as a whole, and creating a growing
number of green jobs.
The six key green sectors
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Clean and alternative energy
Energy management and efficiency
Green buildings
Environmental protection
Carbon finance and investment
Green knowledge and support
In addition to these key sectors, traditional industries are
increasingly “greening” their operations.
Our Forecast
• It’s not all doom and gloom. BC buildings industry will
grow at a moderate pace in near term
• We will not likely see the gang buster construction
activity we saw prior to the Olympics
• BC Government and public sector will commit money in
the following areas:
– infrastructure, healthcare and education sectors
– Renovation and retrofit of current building stock
– Meeting carbon neutrality mandate to avoid penalties
• Federal government will pump money in the economy to
avoid another recession
• Growing number of jobs in BC’s Green Industry
Our Forecast …. Contd.
• As long as the interest rates remain low, residential
sector will do well
• Alternate project delivery methods will be employed for
major projects
• Current municipal infrastructure is in need of upgrade.
This will generate work for engineers and trades
• Projects like Evergreen Line will proceed to design and
construction
• Vancouver office vacancy rate is low. This should trigger
office building construction projects
Skills Employers Look for!
•Related Industry Experience
•Exceptional Technical skills
•Excellent Communication and people skills
•Business skills
•Leadership skills
Tips for successful employment search
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Finding a job is a full time job
Competition is tough for inexperienced engineers
Network and get to know the people in industry
Research the firm before applying for a job
Only apply for jobs that match your education and
experience. Shot gun approach usually does not work
• Mailing or emailing resume’s is not enough. Go meet the
people
• Dress up appropriately when going for an interview. First
impression matters!
• Volunteer your time to technical, business and charitable
organizations – people refer people
Questions?