• The Construction industry group in B.C. has a large workforce.
• The Construction industry can contribute to strong provincial economic growth.
• Most jobs in this industry group are located in the Lower Mainland-Southwest and Vancouver Island and Coast regions.
• Future job prospects are expected to be average.

The Construction industry involves constructing, repairing, and renovating buildings and engineering works, as well as subdividing and developing land. Construction companies can work independently or under contract to other firms or property owners, and either produce complete projects or a portion of projects.

A construction company may be the only establishment of an enterprise, or one of several establishments of an integrated real estate enterprise engaged in the land assembly, development, financing, building and sale of large projects.

Because of large variations between projects and the inputs required to complete them, this industry group is divided into three sub-sectors: construction of buildings, heavy and civil engineering construction and specialty trade contractors. Some establishments undertake projects that require several different construction activities (known as trades) to be performed. Other establishments specialize in one trade.

236 Construction of Buildings 
237 Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction 
238 Specialty Trade Contractors 

Source: Adapted from Statistics Canada, North American Industry Classification System, Canada 2002, Catalogue No. 12-501-XPE.