Unemployed construction workers in Northern Ireland may find their job related woes eased by news that a Canadian firm is looking to Belfast for skills and workforce.

The British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) will be making its first visit to Belfast on Thursday, October 4.

BCCA is a non–profit organisation which acts on behalf of firms in the province within the industrial, commercial, institutional, and multi-family residential construction industry.

The Association’s mandate is “to provide leadership and excellence in the representation of and service to British Columbia’s construction industry.”

The construction industry in Canada is currently suffering labour shortages, and BCCA is seeking to redress the balance on both sides of the Atlantic by hiring Northern Ireland’s unemployed workers.

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BCCA says it has about 500 immediate job vacancies for construction workers and will be creating up to 20,000 more vacancies over the next few years.

Vice-president of the Association Abigail Fulton said the company would be recruiting relatively small numbers initially, but the numbers would rise rapidly.

"Some companies want as few as two or three recruits while others want up to 100, but these jobs are definite”, she said.

"Irish craft workers often have a wider skills range than their counterparts in Canada whose training can be more narrowly focussed."

The preliminary recruitment list on behalf of 85 companies is for up to 500 people.

Positions being filled include project managers, estimators, carpenters, heavy duty mechanics, plumbers, gas fitters, heavy duty welders and metal fabricators, electricians, steel workers, and commercial roofers.

BCCA has offered successful applicants assistance in acquiring the necessary permission and work permits required to work in Canada, but the process can often take several months.

(IT/GK)