It’s the perfect storm for B.C.’s forest industry.
A rebounding U.S. housing market, demand in China, and now Hurricane Sandy, which destroyed billions of dollars worth of homes and infrastructure in the Northeastern U.S. that must be rebuilt.
Skilled laborers have abandoned the long-dormant industry, and now massive labor shortages are predicted as mills and logging camps get back to work.
“As demand ramps up, we’re not going to find the employees we need,” said MaryAnne Arcand, executive director of the Central Interior Logging Association, who predicts her industry will be short 2,000 skilled workers. “Now we’re saying, ‘it’s good business, its good money, come on back.’”
From The Calgary Herald: http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/forest+industry+woos+back+workers+demand+booms/7559029/story.html