Today, the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ) is unveiling its report Perspectives professionnelles dans l’industrie de la construction 2025-2029, which presents estimates of workforce needs per region for the next 5 years.

The report confirms an encouraging picture of employment and activity in the industry for coming years, despite a global climate of uncertainty. For the period 2025–29, workforce needs are evaluated at an average of 16,000 workers per year, and the need for new workers will remain high for all trades and occupations.

The forecast for hours worked covering projects subject to the Act Respecting Labour Relations, Vocational Training and Workforce Management in the Construction Industry was revised in April 2025 and establishes an average of 211 million hours for the next 4 years, compared to 216 million hours last year. The industry will therefore have to employ an average of more than 200,000 workers annually up to 2029, testifying to continuing sustained activity on construction sites.

Although Québec is facing an uncertain global climate, marked by strong trade tensions, the construction industry continues to stand out as an economic pillar in many regions.

Here are the highlights of the 2025–29 report:

• Despite economic uncertainty, the CCQ forecasts that the industry will remain relatively stable over the medium term, with an expected number of hours above 200 million on average up to 2029. 
• The civil engineering and roads sector will continue to be a strong contributor to medium-term activity, notably due to Hydro-Québec’s major energy projects and significant necessary infrastructure work, mainly in Greater Montréal.
• After a dip in 2024, the residential sector is gradually regaining momentum, as a recovery in housing starts is boosting the number of hours worked.
• The need for new workers will remain high for all trades and occupations, notably because the number of graduates in several trades is not currently sufficient to meet the needs on construction sites. 
• It is estimated that the industry will need 16,000 people per year for the period of 2025–29.
• Overall, career prospects in the construction industry are excellent; activity on construction sites will remain high, current workforce availability is low, and certain trades are affected by a pronounced ageing trend.

Read the report to learn more about career perspectives by region.

To access the press release, click on this link.