Edmonton's construction industry is experiencing a period of unprecedented growth and an acute need for skilled workers, creating exceptional opportunities for Ukrainian professionals. While all of Canada is facing a critical labor shortage in construction, Alberta, and Edmonton in particular, is at the epicenter of this phenomenon. The province's rapid population growth, ambitious infrastructure projects, and the mass retirement of experienced workers have created a unique window of opportunity for Ukrainian builders seeking stable and well-paid work in Canada.
The scale of the labour shortage in Edmonton's construction industry
The labour shortage in Edmonton's construction industry has reached critical levels, making the city one of the most promising labour markets for skilled builders. According to BuildForce Canada data published in April 2025, Alberta will need nearly 60,000 new workers between 2025 and 2034 to support the construction industry. This figure includes both filling vacancies due to retirement and additional needs due to industry growth. It is estimated that more than 43,000 people from the existing workforce will retire over the next decade, leaving a huge gap that needs to be filled.
Statistics reveal the depth of the crisis. In the third quarter of 2023, the construction vacancy rate in Alberta jumped to 6.7%, compared to 3.5% five years before the COVID-19 pandemic. This near doubling illustrates the scale of the problem. At the provincial level, there were 12,295 open construction jobs in 2023, representing a vacancy rate of 6.5%. Edmonton, as one of the province's largest cities with active residential and infrastructure development, is feeling this shortage particularly acutely.
Laura Bruno, executive director of the Canadian Home Builders' Association in Edmonton, commented on the situation, noting that Edmonton's construction sector is working hard to keep up with housing demand but is having significant problems finding skilled workers. She emphasized that the shortage affects virtually all skilled trades in residential construction, from drywall installers, carpenters, and roofers to plumbers and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning specialists. The shortage of experienced and skilled frame installers is particularly acute.
In 2024, 2,122 inspections of employers in the construction industry were carried out, and although 94% of employers complied with the rules, this does not solve the fundamental problem—there are simply not enough workers to meet demand. This situation leaves employers in a constant search for talent, creating ideal conditions for skilled foreign workers, including Ukrainians.
Specific job openings and opportunities for Ukrainians
Edmonton's construction industry offers a wide range of opportunities for Ukrainians with varying levels of skill and experience. As of October 2025, there were over 2,038 active construction jobs in Edmonton on Indeed.com, and ZipRecruiter reported 286 open positions in construction. This number of vacancies remains consistently high throughout the year, demonstrating steady demand.
The most in-demand construction jobs in Edmonton include carpenter journeymen, commercial plumbers, electrician journeymen (especially for commercial projects), roofers (journeymen and foremen), modular construction installers, facility maintenance foremen, estimators, and roofing maintenance foremen. Many of these positions are marked as “urgently hiring,” and employers typically respond to applications within one to three days.
For Ukrainians with construction experience but without Canadian certification, there are numerous positions for construction workers and assistants. The federal Job Bank is constantly updating dozens of positions, including construction workers for H & V Construction Ltd, construction assistants for Trusted Homes Ltd, drainage pipe installers for Instadrain Inc, concrete assistant for Tuscan Stoneworx Canada, and many others. These positions often do not require Canadian experience and can serve as a starting point for a career in Canadian construction.
Opportunities for Ukrainians with engineering degrees or project management experience are particularly promising. Canadian construction companies are actively seeking qualified engineers, planners, architects, and project managers. Ukrainian specialists often have high qualifications and experience in design and construction management, making them attractive candidates for Canadian employers.
It is important to note that the shortage is not limited to residential construction. Commercial and industrial construction is also booming, especially in Alberta's energy sector. Large projects, such as the Dow Chemical plant and the Air Products hydrogen production plant in the Edmonton area, require a significant number of skilled workers. These industrial projects often offer higher wages, but also create competition for a limited pool of skilled workers.
Why Ukrainian builders are in high demand
Ukrainian builders occupy a unique position in the Canadian labor market for several reasons. First, Ukrainians traditionally have a high level of technical education and practical skills in construction. Many Ukrainian builders, carpenters, electricians, and plumbers have undergone rigorous training and have significant experience working on complex projects.
Canadian employers are increasingly recognizing that European construction standards, including Ukrainian ones, often exceed or meet Canadian requirements. This means that Ukrainian workers can quickly adapt to Canadian construction practices after a short adjustment period. The success story of three Ukrainian immigrants who founded the successful construction company ThreeStones Alliance in Calgary is a prime example of this. Igor Marchenko, Artem Tkachenko, and Andriy Lysak started out as subcontractors on small jobs but quickly earned a reputation for their skill and professionalism. Today, their company has nearly 60 employees and performs large contracts for the exterior cladding of apartment buildings.
Second, Ukrainians have a unique advantage thanks to the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) and the updated Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA), which came into effect on July 1, 2024. CUFTA simplifies the process of obtaining work permits for Ukrainian citizens and permanent residents of Ukraine, especially those working in the construction sector. Under the agreement, employees of Ukrainian companies providing services in Canada will be able to enter the country temporarily under simplified and expanded conditions. This means that Ukrainians can obtain work permits without having to go through the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process, which greatly simplifies and speeds up employment.
The CUAET has allowed more than 250,000 Ukrainian refugees to move to Canada since the start of the full-scale invasion, and all of them are eligible for legal employment with open work permits. This has allowed many Ukrainians to first come to Canada and then look for work locally, which is a huge advantage over the traditional immigration process.
Third, Alberta's Ukrainian diaspora, one of the largest in Canada, provides a natural support network for newcomers. Many employers in the construction industry in Edmonton and Calgary have ties to the Ukrainian community and actively seek Ukrainian workers through these networks. One Ukrainian immigrant recalled that his old Ukrainian colleague, who lived in Calgary, told him about numerous available jobs in construction, and that is how they ended up in Alberta.
Financial opportunities and wages
Wages in Edmonton's construction industry are competitive and offer a real opportunity for financial stability and growth. According to various sources, construction workers in Edmonton can expect a range of pay levels depending on their qualifications, experience, and specific occupation.
For general construction workers, the average salary in Edmonton is approximately $34,300 per year, ranging from $15,700 to $54,100 depending on experience and qualifications. The median salary is $37,300, which means that half of workers earn less than this amount and half earn more. According to Indeed.com, the average salary for construction workers in Edmonton is $44,641 per year or approximately $22 per hour, while PayScale reports an average hourly rate of $22.37.
According to official data from Job Bank Canada, construction workers and helpers in the Edmonton area typically earn between $20 and $36 per hour, with a median salary of $26 per hour. This is consistent with Alberta's overall data, where wages range from $19 to $36.75 per hour with a median of $25. According to the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS), construction workers and helpers in Alberta earn an average of $27.84 per hour or $56,025 per year.
For skilled trades, wages are significantly higher. Contractors and supervisors in construction earn an average of $40.15 per hour or $85,546 per year in Alberta. Experienced journeymen can earn between $35 and $40 per hour in the commercial plumbing sector, and service plumbers can earn even more. Electricians, welders, industrial mechanics, and HVAC specialists also earn competitive wages, often exceeding $60,000-$85,000 per year.
It is important to note that wages increase with experience. A construction worker with less than two years of experience can expect to earn around $18,200 per year, but this quickly rises to $29,000 with two to five years of experience, $35,400 with five to ten years, and over $54,000 for workers with more than 20 years of experience. The average wage increase in construction is approximately 7% per year.
For Ukrainian workers just starting their careers in Canada, even the starting salary offers a decent standard of living. However, the greatest potential lies in obtaining Canadian certification and advancing to the level of journeyman, which can double or triple your salary within a few years.
Pathways to professional certification for Ukrainians
One of the most important aspects of successful integration into the Canadian construction industry is obtaining professional certification. Alberta has over 50 designated occupations, primarily in the construction, automotive, manufacturing, and industrial sectors. For Ukrainians, there are several paths to certification that recognize their prior experience and education.
For those who are new to the profession or still in school, it is necessary to register as an apprentice to work in Alberta. The apprenticeship system operates on a “learn while you earn” basis—approximately 80% of the apprenticeship is completed in the workplace under the supervision of a journeyperson mentor, and apprentices earn a wage while they learn. The remaining 20% of the time is spent in technical training at institutions such as the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), where apprentices learn the theory of the profession.
For Ukrainians who already have experience in construction, there is a special program called the Trades Qualifier Work Experience Program, which allows them to qualify for an Alberta journeyperson certificate based on their previous experience. The process involves four steps: choosing a trade from over 50 designated trades, submitting an online application with information about previous and/or current employment to verify work experience, demonstrating experience through a practical exam, a trade competency verification book, or a letter of declaration from a current employer in Alberta (requirements vary by occupation), and finally, taking a certification exam.
This path is particularly attractive to Ukrainian builders who have years of experience but do not have Canadian certification. Instead of starting from scratch as an apprentice, they can use their prior experience for accelerated certification. One Ukrainian immigrant, Vyacheslav Samsonenko, found a job as an estimator at a British Columbia construction company within a month of arriving in Canada, even though he would need at least two years of experience to work as a professional engineer. He noted that finding a job in the industry was not difficult, but it takes time to become a professional civil engineer in Canada, which requires passing a series of tests and continuing to gain experience.
Enrolment in apprenticeship programs has increased by 50% in 2024-2025. NAIT reports that their programs have waiting lists, and the polytechnic institute hopes that the new training centre will help meet the demand. Thanks to recent funding from the province and the Ministry of Advanced Education, NAIT has increased the number of places offered in 2024/2025 by more than 14% compared to last year, and it is expected that more than 10,000 places will be available in NAIT's 27 apprenticeship programs. NAIT predicts that an additional 13% growth will be needed for 2025/2026 to support the Edmonton region's demand for apprenticeship training.
Support programs and immigration pathways
The Canadian and Alberta governments have created numerous support programs specifically for Ukrainian newcomers in the construction industry. The federal government has created a job bank for employers who want to hire Ukrainian newcomers. There is also a specialized Employment Resource Hub for Ukrainians in Alberta, designed to help Ukrainian newcomers increase their employment outcomes. This hub offers a comprehensive collection of resources, tools, and templates designed to help navigate the job market, including employment guides, resume templates, and interview tips.
All Ukrainians who are in Canada as temporary residents can access free employment and integration services. The Saskatchewan government has announced that all temporary residents arriving under the CUAET program with a valid work permit will be eligible for funded training through the Canada-Saskatchewan Job Grant (CSJG) and the Re-Skill Saskatchewan Training Subsidy (RSTS). Similar programs exist in Alberta.
The federal government has also introduced new immigration measures in 2025 aimed at supporting construction workers. Starting February 26, 2025, foreign students in eligible construction occupations will no longer require a study permit. This exemption allows foreign students to quickly obtain credentials and contribute to Canada's infrastructure projects sooner.
In addition, a new pathway to regularization has been introduced for builders without status who are already contributing to the Canadian economy. This is based on a successful pilot program in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) that has allowed more than 500 workers to obtain permanent residence. The government hopes that this pathway will allow 6,000 construction workers to continue working and provide a critical workforce for Canada's construction sector in the long term. Successful candidates through this new pathway will receive Canadian permanent residence and a temporary work permit while their application is being processed.
For Ukrainians who wish to stay in Canada long-term, there are several pathways to permanent residence. The Federal Skilled Trades Program is one of the main pathways for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents based on their qualifications in a skilled trade. Under the CUAET and CUFTA programs, a Ukrainian worker can obtain permanent residence after approximately one to three years of living in Canada.
Provincial Nominee Programs, such as the Alberta Opportunity Stream, also offer pathways to permanent residence for skilled workers employed in Alberta. These programs typically require a period of employment in the province and meeting eligibility criteria, but can be faster than federal programs.
Challenges and Realistic Prospects
Despite the many opportunities, Ukrainian construction workers face certain challenges when integrating into the Edmonton construction industry. The biggest barrier remains language, especially for professional positions. However, many employers in construction understand this problem and provide support. One Ukrainian worker mentioned that the company he works for paid for courses to develop his construction knowledge, and his colleagues helped him improve his English. He also noted that in Calgary's construction industry, he works side by side with newcomers from Ukraine, Libya, and around the world.
For Ukrainians without English language skills, there are opportunities to work in factories, warehouses, cleaning, and other technical positions. Experienced builders, butchers, truck drivers, and beauty industry professionals will be able to find work in Canada fairly easily. Office professionals with a high level of English are also in demand, as are IT professionals with a good portfolio and experience in the Western market.
Some recruiters have begun to challenge the narrative of “Canadian experience,” arguing that “either you have work experience or you don't.” With the latest wave of Ukrainians, recruiters are working to educate Canadian employers about the opportunities that newcomers bring. One recruiter from Victoria, British Columbia, noted that recruiters are encouraging employers to be open to hiring Ukrainians and to share the knowledge they have.
It is also important to note that demand for construction workers in 2025-2026 may slow somewhat compared to the record year of 2024 due to a decline in net migration and the impact of trade policy uncertainty on buyer sentiment. Residential construction in Edmonton is projected to decline by 8.4% to 12,350 units in 2025 and then by another 4.5% to 11,800 in 2026. However, these figures are still historically high, and construction employment is expected to grow by 1.7% in 2025 after a slow year in 2024, as business expansion responds to the recent influx of new customers and construction activity remains elevated.
In addition, 2025 brought significant employment growth in Alberta. In June 2025, Alberta's employment rate increased by 1.2%, with a net gain of 30,000 jobs. Construction remains one of the fastest-growing sectors, with employment in construction, agriculture, and utilities growing by more than 15% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. In 2025, construction employment in Alberta grew by 35,000 jobs.
Long-term outlook and future development
The long-term outlook for Ukrainian construction workers in Edmonton remains extremely positive. BuildForce Canada predicts that the industry will need a total of 380,500 workers by 2034 across Canada, which includes an expected increase in demand for 272,100 workers to support industry growth and 108,400 workers to replace those who are retiring. Even with this level of recruitment, the industry could still face a shortage of up to 108,300 workers by 2034.
The federal government has allocated $48 million over two years to strengthen employer compliance, including hiring additional inspectors. In 2024, the Canadian government also invested in 1,500 construction apprentices to support housing construction needs. These investments demonstrate the government's commitment to developing the construction sector and creating opportunities for skilled workers.
Green building and sustainability are creating new specialized niches in traditional trades. LEED certification and knowledge of green materials are becoming increasingly valuable skills. Government incentives for green construction are creating business opportunities for companies with appropriately skilled workers. For Ukrainian builders who invest in training in these specializations, the future looks even brighter.
Edmonton is also seeing significant investment in non-residential construction. In the first quarter of 2025, the value of building permits for non-residential structures increased by 26.6%, from $1.0 billion in 2024 to $1.3 billion in 2025. The increase was driven by plans to build non-residential structures, with the value of commercial and institutional permits in the first quarter of 2025 nearly doubling compared to the first quarter of 2024. This means that the demand for builders is spreading beyond the residential sector, creating even more opportunities.
Conclusion
The demand for Ukrainians in Edmonton's construction industry is not only real but also extremely high. With a projected need for nearly 60,000 new workers in Alberta over the next decade, critical shortages in all skilled trades, and job vacancy rates reaching historic highs, Edmonton's construction industry is desperately in need of skilled workers. Ukrainian builders have unique advantages due to their high technical education, practical skills, special immigration programs through CUAET and CUFTA, and the support of a strong Ukrainian diaspora in Alberta.
The financial opportunities are attractive, with starting wages of $20 to $26 per hour for general construction workers and the potential to earn over $40 per hour as a skilled journeyperson. There are clear pathways to professional certification that recognize the prior experience of Ukrainian workers, allowing them to advance quickly in their careers. Numerous support programs, including free employment services, language training, and pathways to permanent residency, make the transition smoother.
While there are challenges, particularly related to the language barrier and the need for Canadian certification, the success stories of Ukrainian immigrants, such as the founders of ThreeStones Alliance, demonstrate that with hard work, community support, and the use of available resources, Ukrainian builders can not only find work, but also build thriving careers and successful businesses in Edmonton. With government investment continuing to flow into the construction sector, rising employment, and long-term demographic pressures creating a steady demand for skilled builders, Edmonton's construction industry offers Ukrainians not just a job, but a real opportunity for long-term prosperity and economic security in Canada.