Competition, Capital, and People (cont’d)
Top 10 Construction-Related Jobs
The costs associated with LNG grow even greater when
labour challenges enter the equation. Finding the labour
to advance Canadian projects will be challenging. High
levels of development and construction activity are
causing shortages of skilled labour across the country,
including mechanical, electrical, and process engineers,
construction foreman, welders, etc. Exacerbating this
challenge is the increased need for specialized
LNG-specific skill sets (aluminum welders, for
example), where experience is limited in Canada.
Increased demand for specialized skills will drive costs up
and lead to higher salaries, perquisites, and training costs,
and, at the end of the day, high project costs. Adding to
the labour force dynamic, the use in Canada of temporary
foreign workers has recently come under fire.
To help solve the labour challenge, the BC government
announced an LNG-labour working group that included
18 representatives from government officials, organized
labour, the Haisla Nation, and major LNG industry players.
The group produced 15 recommendations to tackle
apprenticeship, training, and other challenges in growing
the LNG industry. The report is publicly available
and actions are under way to implement the proposed
recommendations.
Addressing labour concerns is only one of the important
elements of successful project management. Project
success also depends on a sophisticated and holistic
approach to project and cost management, from the
fundamental structural design of the organization, to
creative contractual terms for project build-out, to the
use of technology to increase reliability and reduce costs.
Innovating at every turn is essential. Companies must
re-think traditional business processes and embed digital
oilfield concepts such as remote operations centres directly
into projects at the outset. They must also develop operating
practices for the underlying natural gas development
and production operations that align with the unique
challenges and opportunities posed by unconventional
resource development.
with the Greatest Demand*
1.
Steamfitters & pipefitters
2.
Construction workers and
labourers (including riggers)
3. Welders
4. Concrete finishers
5. Heavy equipment operators
6. Carpenters
7. Truck drivers
8. Purchasing agents and officers
9. Gas fitters
10. Crane operators
* ource: B.C. Natural Gas Workforce Strategy
S
Committee, B.C. Natural Gas Workforce Strategy
and Action Plan, July 2013.
page 12
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