Members of Local 296 in Saskatchewan are in a period of stability and opportunity, supported by steady construction activity across the province and a significant milestone recently achieved for the trade.
Contractors are reporting a mix of commercial, industrial and maintenance work, creating consistent employment opportunities and allowing companies to plan years ahead. With projects already being bid on for 2027 and beyond, Business Manager TJ King says the outlook is strong.
“We’re not just in a good spot, we are in a great spot with steady work,” said King. “We aren’t in a boom-or-bust mentality, and stability is what matters most for our members.”
Megaprojects across the province are driving demand for Local 296’s skilled workforce. Among them is the $9 billion Phase 2 expansion of the BHP Jansen Potash Mine, along with new schools, power plants, hospitals, uranium mining developments and long-term care homes. Upcoming projects in Saskatchewan’s nuclear sector are also expected to generate work well into the next decade.
With opportunity comes the need for preparation. King says members who take the initiative to pursue additional training and certifications will be best positioned to take advantage of the work ahead.
“There are a lot of opportunities here,” King said. “Preparation is what separates those who will get the opportunities, those willing to go out, obtain the required certifications and keep themselves at the highest level of skill.”
The local is also focused on strengthening its membership through organizing efforts, new initiatives and outreach to bring more workers into the trade. King says that growth must be inclusive.
“If we want women to stay and advance in our trade, we need spaces where their voices are heard and supported,” he said. For that reason, the local is starting a women’s committee to help ensure women have a dedicated forum to connect, raise concerns and support one another in the trade.
Another major milestone for Saskatchewan’s sheet metal workers is the official designation of Architectural Sheet Metal (ASM) as a recognized sub-trade, a development more than 14 years in the making. Previously performed without a formal training pathway or certification, this work now has a clear and recognized structure along with a trade designation.
This change will provide roughly 200 members with formal recognition for the skills they’ve been practicing and the opportunity to obtain official certification in their field.
For King, the achievement reflects the local’s commitment to strengthening the trade while preparing members for the future.
“We are focused on stability, opportunities and growth for tomorrow, in an effort to set up our members for long, successful careers.”