Key Websites

Finding The Best Online Information Is Tough

In this section we have gathered some of the most reliable government and employment websites for you to use in your research.

Toolbase.org - NAHB Research Center
NAHB Research Center's ToolBase.org is the US housing industry's best resource for technical information on building products, materials, new technologies, business management, and housing systems.

Start here: Business Management
Start here: Remodeling & Retrofits

Canadian Information:

BuildForce Canada
Originally created in 2001 as the Construction Sector Council, BuildForce Canada is a national industry-led organization committed to working with the construction industry to provide information and resources to assist with its management of workforce requirements.

Start here: Construction Forecasts website

BC Stats | Current reports and statistics from British Columbia's central statistical agency including labour market information, economic statistics and bankruptcies. Start by searching their Industry section and narrowing by industry type or go to the Business, Industry & Trade page to skim all the different business-related topics.

Start here: Analytical Reports - BC's Construction Industry Since 1990 (PDF - 4 pages)
Start here: Analytical Reports on Construction in BC (2003-2012)

WorkBC | Find current employment outlooks, labour market information, relevant links, and a geographic representation of the BC workforce. Start by searching your Industry Profile.

Start here: Industry Profile - Construction (Residential and Non-Residential)
Start here: Career Profile - Contractors and Supervisors - Carpentry Trades
Start here: Career Profile - Carpenters
Start here: Career Profile - Cabinetmakers
Start here: Career Profile - Home Builders and Renovaton Managers

Careersinconstruction.ca
Developed by the Construction Sector Council (CSC), this site provides information and resources on a wide range of careers in Canada's construction industry.

Start here: Carpenter
Start here: Cabinetmaker
Start here: Small Construction Company Owner

Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada
Provides market research, industry statistics, licensing information for intellectual property, and information about doing business internationally. The Industry Canada site features interactive applications such as customizable trade reports, cost calculators, and online business planning guides. You can also search broad Canadian industry statistics.

Start here: Canadian Industry Statistics (CIS) - Definition - Construction (NAICS 23)

The Daily - Statistics Canada
The premier source for Canadian statistical information, including census information. Search 'The Daily' releases by subject to identify corresponding census tables, latest news, and publications. Similarly, you can browse by data source, including surveys & questionnaires relevant to your market research, which also link to census tables, latest news and publications.

Start here: Construction (statistics by subject)
Start here: Building Permits (publication)
Start here: Sawmills (publication)

Job Bank - Government of Canada
The leading source for labour market information. The site is designed to assist individuals who are searching for work or looking to make career decisions but can also be useful to gage employment trends in an industry. Try using their search portal to explore careers by occupation or review the latest job market trends in your industry. 

Province of Alberta - Ministry of Labour
Provides information on economic development, labour, trades and apprenticeships as well as industry descriptions and data from the Province of Alberta.

Start here: Industry Profiles

PriceWaterhouse Coopers Canada (PwC) | Global consultancy firm that produces reports on the state of various industries.

Start here: Engineering and Construction Industry

International and/or American Information:

Small Business Administration: Free Small Business Data
This site is created and managed by the US Small Business Administration (SBA) and provides a list of free sources of information that you can use to obtain data about markets in the US.

Start here: Business Guides by Industry - Construction

CareerOneStop
A good way to research trends in the US labour market. Provides detailed labour information by state.

Start here: Industry Profile - 236100 - Residential Building Construction
Start here: Occupation Profile - Carpenters
Start here: Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters
Start here: Occupation Profile - Construction Managers

HighBeam Business: Industry Reports
These industry reports provide statistics, trends, market analysis, and industry news on a wide range of industries. HighBeam Business is operated by The Gale Group, a well-known and respected publisher of reference directories and databases for libraries and academia, and it is part of the larger information and publishing firm Cengage Learning.

Start here: Carpentry Work
Start here: Mining and Construction

Firsthand | A free source of industry information. Use the Industry Profiles to research growing industries and best industries by major, and Company Rankings and Profiles to find news, company information, and industry-specific sample professions. Basic monthly membership is free and offers access to blogs, discussion forums, and job listings.

Start here: Construction Profile

You might want to jump ahead to the news websites listed in the next section of this Accelerator Guide for more resources. News websites can often be good sources of industry, competitive and consumer information.