Close to 270,000 workers, or about 21% of Canada’s construction workforce will retire in the next 10 years. With several major projects on the horizon across Alberta, the construction industry needs to find ways to connect with Gen Z and Gen Alpha workers in ways that match their expectations and values. A recent article in BuildForce Magazine looks at what that means.
Different Values, Same Opportunity
Gen Z has been shaped by the pandemic and grew up entirely in a digital world. Their values reflect those experiences. But the construction industry has a lot to offer workers looking for real-world impact. Building physical infrastructure, shaping communities and seeing tangible results from work resonates strongly with younger workers who want meaningful careers. CLRA supports this connection through partnerships with Skills Alberta, Careers the Next Generation and the Workforce Development Trust, helping bridge the gap between younger workers and construction opportunities.
What Matters to Gen Z
Clear career paths and good wages matter. The article’s author points out that the opportunity to work on sustainability-focused projects and community-centered work also matters. Gen Z wants to know where their career is heading and how their work contributes to something bigger. Construction can deliver on all of these if we’re clear about the opportunities.
Mental health support and flexible schedules are also important for this generation in ways they were not for previous generations. Companies that recognize this will have an easier time attracting and retaining younger workers.
They Learn Differently
Gen Z accesses information differently than previous generations. They use ChatGPT and TikTok videos to figure out how to do things and to get a real picture of a job or skill. For employers and training programs, this means adapting to how Gen Z learns, not expecting them to adapt to how things have traditionally been taught.
The Knowledge Transfer Opportunity
Right now, we have an opportunity for knowledge transfer between an experienced generation leaving the workforce and a new generation coming in. Experienced workers have decades of knowledge about how projects get built, how to solve problems on site and how to work safely and efficiently. Gen Z brings digital fluency, fresh perspectives and a comfort with new technology.
What This Means for CLRA Members
Alberta’s construction industry is facing significant workforce turnover at the same time major infrastructure projects could move forward. Encouraging young people to consider building their future in Alberta through the skilled trades is crucial, but understanding what they bring to the table is important too. Connecting with Gen Z workers means being honest about career paths, competitive on wages, clear about project impact, and flexible wherever possible on things like mental health support.
The workers are there and the opportunities are real. Attracting new workers will require employers to rethink long-standing processes that don’t match how younger workers approach careers and information.
