On June 11, the British Columbia Construction Roundtable brought together leaders from across the construction industry for a facilitated conversation on strengthening the sector’s talent pipeline, with a particular focus on attracting, retaining and advancing women.

The roundtable fostered cross-industry dialogue among owners, consultants, contractors and other industry participants. Through small-table discussions, participants shared their experiences, identified persistent barriers and explored practical ways organizations can build more inclusive and sustainable workplaces.

• The resulting BCCR White Paper brings together their perspectives on:
  
• introducing construction careers earlier and more clearly;
  
• aligning recruitment messages with the realities of the workplace;
  
• creating safe, respectful and inclusive work environments;
  
• developing flexibility that reflects the needs of office, field and trades roles;
  
• supporting career progression through transparent pathways, mentorship and sponsorship;
  
• strengthening representation, peer networks and workplace belonging; and
  
• using workforce information to identify barriers and evaluate progress.
  

The discussions reinforced that recruitment alone will not solve the industry’s workforce challenges. Long-term capacity depends on creating workplaces where people feel supported, see opportunities to grow and can build sustainable careers.

Read the BCCR White Paper: Strengthening Construction’s Talent Pipeline