Building Connections at the 2026 Builders Connect Expo

With each new focus sector, YEG Connect seeks opportunities for face-to-face research to gain direct insights into employer challenges and hiring priorities. This is exactly what the YEG Connect team did at the Builders Connect Expo earlier this year, where construction employers gathered to connect, discuss industry innovations, and engage with vendors showcasing new solutions. YEG Connect was proud to be part of the event, offering employers insight into our initiative to reduce hiring bottlenecks when recruiting newcomer talent.

Here are our top insights from the 40+ conversations we had with construction employers at the expo, many of which YEG Connect will reference when developing solutions and resources for the construction sector:

1. Construction employers are eager to hire newcomer drivers for large transport trucks, but many face a key barrier: while drivers obtain their required certification, they’re often denied insurance coverage. This has created confusion and frustration among employers trying to fill these roles.
2. Construction employers often must weigh the risk of hiring a newcomer against leaving a role unfilled for months. The impact varies by position, such as project managers versus drivers, but clearer information and fewer uncertainties around hiring newcomers would help reduce perceived risk and streamline decision-making.
3. Construction employers report communication challenges on-site that are related to safety protocols, but the issue seems to be misdiagnosed. It’s less about language barriers and more about gaps in cultural understanding, particularly around how safety is practiced in Canada. Many newcomers understand the rules, but not always the underlying “why” or the shared responsibility of contributing to site safety. As a result, employers face compliance risks they can’t afford, making retention difficult. Addressing these cultural communication gaps would help bridge the disconnect.
4. Construction employers track how many apprentices are graduating and depend on those numbers to plan their hiring. However, there is a structural shortage of workers, which means employers need more skilled people entering the workforce and are eager to hire anyone who meets the qualifications, including international professionals and newcomers to Canada.

Attending the Builders Connect Expo provided valuable insights into the challenges employers in the construction industry face and how they view potential solutions. It also highlighted the importance of clearly communicating YEG Connect’s role and the unique value we bring to the sector. The expo gave us the chance to hear employer concerns and share our ideas with them directly, helping us build connections and establish meaningful contacts for future collaborations.