A Boom in Toronto’s Film Industry Contributes to a Shortage of Skilled Labor

Toronto's film industry is a leading reason behind the shortage of skilled labor.

Toronto’s film industry faced shutting down production work for many months following the Covid-19 pandemic. But now, it is coming back to the path of growth at a rapid pace.

Now, the work is resumed by imposing stringent protocols to tackle Covid-19. And it has helped minimize the impact of the pandemic.

Officials in the region claim that commercial production has already resumed and is expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels.

In 2021, the city is expected to host over 1,500 productions, including commercials and music videos, which will be roughly the same as in 2019. This year’s production value is expected to surpass 2019’s $2.2 billion high watermark.

It’s a trend that appears to be getting even bigger. According to a recent government study of the city’s screen industry workforce, studio space in the provincial capital province is expected to increase 63% over the next five years.

However, at this rate of expansion, Toronto will have a difficult situation on its hands: training enough personnel to keep up with manufacturing demand.

Toronto must add roughly a third more workers to its presently 35,000-strong production labor pool over the next five years, according to officials.

Who has seen the massive 63% growth? It’s significant, to say the least,” exclaimed Marguerite Pigott, the city’s Film Commissioner, who is also responsible for part of the city’s massive, quick growth. The potential for profit exists alongside a number of significant problems.

In order to accomplish this goal, she is collaborating with unions, guilds, neighborhood organizations, and educational institutions.

To recruit black, indigenous, and other people of color, the firm is making great efforts. 200 more such professionals are enrolled in a workforce development program that is being advanced quickly toward union membership, with the first group of more to join.