A projection of anticipated workload volume over a set period, used to plan crew levels and equipment needs. Subcontractors rely on load forecasts to avoid understaffing during peak demand or carrying idle workers in slow periods.
Load Forecast
Related Terms
Nonemployer Establishment
WorkforceA business that generates revenue but has no paid employees — typically a sole proprietor or owner-operator. Many field subcontractors and independent tradespeople operate this way. Statistics Canada tracks these firms separately in labour and industry data.
IRP (Integrated Resource Plan)
WorkforceA client's long-term plan outlining labour, equipment, and service needs across a project or portfolio. Subcontractors use it to forecast crew deployment and equipment commitments. It helps field service companies align capacity and bids with upcoming work cycles.
Floater
WorkforceA skilled tradesperson or technician not assigned to a fixed crew or project, deployed where needed on short notice. Subcontractors often bill floaters at a premium rate due to their flexibility and quick availability.
Utilization Rate
WorkforceThe percentage of available working hours that crews or equipment are actively billable to a client. A low utilisation rate signals idle resources draining overhead costs. Subcontractors track this metric closely to assess profitability across projects.
Colocation
WorkforceWhen a subcontractor embeds personnel or equipment at a client's site for an extended engagement. This reduces mobilisation costs and improves response time for ongoing work. It is common on large construction or production sites requiring continuous support.
Geofencing
WorkforceA virtual boundary set around a job site that triggers automatic alerts when workers or equipment enter or leave. Subcontractors use it to verify on-site attendance, automate timekeeping, and support accurate billing. It also helps clients confirm crew deployment without manual check-ins.
Latest Workforce News
Canada's Construction Labor Gap Set to Hit 34,000 Workers by 2035
A BuildForce Canada forecast covered by the Daily Commercial News shows construction employment rising through 2035, but retirements and slowing population growth will leave the industry short more than 30,000 nonresidential workers alone.
yesterdayWorkforceTexas Upstream Jobs Rise by 400 in June, TIPRO Data Shows
TIPRO reports Texas upstream oil and gas employment grew by 400 jobs in June 2026, with service sector gains offsetting a drop in extraction jobs.
5 days agoWorkforceABC-NJ's 106,000-Sq-Ft Training Center Offers Apprenticeship Model
Associated Builders and Contractors of New Jersey has opened a 106,000-square-foot Mount Laurel facility training 26 Department of Labor-approved trades under one roof, aiming to scale to more than 1,000 apprentices trained annually within five years.
6 days agoWorkforce36-Inch Water Main Break Prompts Conservation Push in West Hollywood
A ruptured 36-inch transmission main on Sunset Boulevard has LADWP crews working around the clock, with officials asking residents and businesses to conserve water during repairs.
7 days agoRelated Guides
When Your Crew's Behaviour Becomes a Business Problem: Managing Field Conduct on Active Subcontracts
What subcontractors are liable for when field personnel create conflict on a GC-managed site, and how to protect your contracts before it becomes a termination issue.
Workforce GuideHow to Get Your First Oilfield Job: A Practical Guide for Tradespeople and CDL Holders
No oilfield experience? No problem. Learn which certifications, service lines, and job boards actually get tradespeople and CDL holders hired.
Workforce GuideFrom the Field to the Office: What Oilfield Workers Should Know Before Making the Switch
Thinking about moving from field work to an office role? This guide covers how your field experience translates into technical and operations positions, what the transition actually looks like, and the trade-offs most people do not talk about until it is too late.
Stay sharp on field operations
Industry news and insights, delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe to FieldNews
