British Columbia鈥檚 Open Shop construction companies are cautiously optimistic about the coming year, and the prospects for increased activity and additional hiring.

鈥淲e鈥檝e been through some tough times 鈥� in our economy and in the construction industry 鈥� since the global slowdown hit in 2008,鈥� said Philip Hochstein, president of the Independent Business and Contractors Association. 鈥淐ompanies got leaner and more productive in the slowdown; now they can see a light at the end of the tunnel.鈥�

Hochstein said that after coming through the recession it is a strong sign that the vast majority of companies see the volume of work staying the same or rising in the coming year.

鈥淥ne of the best signs is the most optimistic sectors are excavating and trucking 鈥� two industries that are early indicators of construction鈥檚 health,鈥� Hochstein noted. 鈥淭hese companies are the first ones on the job with construction projects, as they dig the holes and haul the dirt so buildings can go up. When things start to improve for them, it鈥檚 a sign of what鈥檚 coming in the other sectors.鈥�

Construction companies expecting their volume of work to increase also indicated that they鈥檇 be more likely to hire extra staff rather than increase the hours of current employees.

鈥� Independent

Business and

Contractors Assoc.