Building Excellence: The Edmonton Region leads in the Construction Sector (Part 2)

Part 2 of 3 – Talent 

In my last blog, I examined the data showcasing the Edmonton Region as a leader in the amount of construction activity taking place over time. This time, I am delving into the abundance of construction talent in the Edmonton Region. 

The Edmonton Region actively leads in construction talent throughout Canada and has incubated some impressive companies in the construction industry that have gone on to become international firms. Companies such as PCL and Stantec, have not only delivered well-known projects both locally and nationally including the Vancouver Convention Center or Rogers Place, but have also contributed to the design and construction of iconic structures worldwide – like Wrigley Field in Chicago and the Burj Khalifa tower in Dubai. Trusted for their ability to deliver projects that are visually stunning, of high quality, and safe, these companies exemplify the expertise present in the Edmonton Region. 

Moreover, the Edmonton Region boasts industry leaders across the entire construction value chain. From architecture and design services, engineering, and construction management to logistics, as well as the manufacturing and supply of construction materials and technologies, the Region is home to professionals who excel in their respective fields. 

Figure 1
Vancouver Convention Center, Vancouver, Canada	Rogers Place, Edmonton, Canada
Wrigley Field, Chicago, USA	Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE
Source: PCL and Stantec

The University of Alberta and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology actively produce some of the world’s best talent in engineering and construction trades. In 2022, the University of Alberta ranked in the top 100 schools globally across various engineering disciplines and secured the third position for engineering in Canada overall. Additionally, it claimed the first spot in Canada for mechanical and chemical engineering. 

Figure 2

NTU 2023

Apart from the quality of labour, the Edmonton Region also has an abundance of skilled labour. Figure 3 demonstrates the construction labour force available in the Edmonton Region and compares that workforce across construction domains relative to Canadian peers. In absolute terms the Region has an abundance of labour relative to even much larger population centers- and in certain domains (including utility and heavy industry) more labour force exists in the Edmonton Region than much larger centers.

Figure 3

Statistics Canada

When measured by the revenue of the company in absolute terms; the Edmonton Metropolitan Region (EMR) is home to Canada’s largest construction companies (Figure 4).

Figure 4

Source: Edmonton Global based on data from On-site Magazine * note large revenue from Montreal in 2018 is largely a result from SNC-Lavalin opting in for that year

Another way to measure the concentration of a specific industry, cluster, or sector in a Region compared to other communities is by examining the “location quotient” (labour concentration) figures. When assessing the labour concentration in the Edmonton Region, it becomes evident that we possess a significant abundance of construction specialists compared to our counterparts. Figure 5 illustrates that the concentration of construction sector professionals is 1.2 times higher in the Edmonton Region compared to the national average. In comparison, Vancouver (0.8) and Montreal (0.6) have lower concentrations of construction professionals relative to the Canadian average. 

Figure 5

Source: Lightcast

Conclusion 

If your company is looking for expertise in engineering, procurement, and construction, look no further than the Edmonton Region. Whether you are looking to deliver a residential tower, a commercial or institutional building or an industrial mega-project, the Edmonton Region has the talent pool and expertise you are looking for.  

Jeff Bell is the Director of Research and Business Intelligence at Edmonton Global. His knowledge is a mile wide and an inch deep – and when a question arises, he enjoys digging deep into the data to provide solid defensible research that can inform strategy.  His network includes a broad range of experts, so if he doesn’t have the answer, he knows where to get it. 

Reach out to Jeff  if you know of an innovative business that should be tied into his network. 

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