Skilled Trades

Stakeholders in British Columbia are exploring the potential of mass timber, an engineered wood product used as a building material, to drive economic growth in a number of industries. A thriving mass timber sector could help generate novel opportunities for many forestry communities (that are currently experiencing a decline), as well as help build sustainable housing in the province.

These reports provide insight into the skills needs for workers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan’s growing plant-based protein industry, especially around value-added agricultural manufacturing, and what steps can be taken by government, industry, and educational institutions to support workers.

In this research project, the Brookfield Institute conducted interviews and surveys with 14 industry leaders from 11 firms spanning three broad sub-sectors across the country. The objective was to improve understanding of what is contributing to the low uptick of technological innovation in the construction sector. 

In this report, in collaboration with Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship we reflect on the evidence and next steps needed to support the Canadian construction sector succeed and adapt to change in the years to come.

The forest sector in northern Saskatchewan must contend with labour shortages, skills gaps, and the desire by Indigenous communities to expand the sector toward renewable and alternative forest products.

Many Indigenous workers in northern Manitoba depending on mining for employment, but workers may face multiple barriers to accessing the skills and training they need to succeed in the industry.