Canadian employers are targeting Belfast in their search to hire unemployed construction workers.

The Canadian construction industry is currently suffering labour shortages and is turning to Northern Ireland to help with their labour deficit.

The British Columbia Construction Association has 500 immediate job vacancies up for grabs for Irish construction workers in their latest recruitment drive, with future plans for another 20,000 more vacancies over the next few years.

Vice-president of the association Abigail Fulton said the company would be recruiting relatively small numbers initially, but the numbers would rise rapidly:

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"Some companies want as few as two or three recruits while others want up to 100, but these jobs are definite."

The Association has turned their eye to Northern Ireland to cash in our local talent, sighting that training outstrips their own native supply:

"Irish craft workers often have a wider skills range than their counterparts in Canada whose training can be more narrowly focussed." said Ms Fulton.

Her initial recruitment list on behalf of 85 companies is for up to 500 people ranging from project managers to estimators, carpenters, heavy duty mechanics, plumber/gas fitters, heavy duty welders and metal fabricators, electricians, steel workers, and commercial roofers.

While this influx of potential employment will comes as good news, it does come at a price. The wages for construction jobs in Canada are thought to be lower than those in Northern Ireland.

(Hmc/GK)