A Deep Dive into Skilled Trades and Transportation

Automotive Mechanic

Nationally, labour demand and labour supply are expected to be broadly in line for this occupation group through 2028. Employment will lead to a moderate number of new positions as well as a moderate number of jobs due to retirements. Employment growth will occur due to steady growth in the number of motor vehicles in Ontario supporting the demand for automotive repair and maintenance work, consumer demand for new vehicles and after-market automotive parts, and the need to meet warranty and service requirements for used and leased vehicles.

Construction Estimator

Labour demand and labour supply are expected to be fairly balanced in Canada through 2028.  Ontario will expect a moderate number of new positions created and several positions will become available due to retirements. Employment growth will  be due to investments in infrastructure and public facilities, industrial projects such as mining, and improved commercial construction, steady demand for housing, as well as use of models such as public-private partnerships (P3) and complex bidding processes may increase demand for estimation expertise, particularly for senior estimators with experience handling large projects.

Construction Manager

Labour demand and labour supply are expected to be broadly in line for this occupation group through 2028 in Canada. Employment growth in Ontario will create a moderate number of new positions and there will be a moderate number of positions available due to retirement. Employment outlook trends are due to large infrastructure investments in transit, health care, utilities, highways, and bridges, steady demand for new housing to meet population growth, investments in industrial projects and mining and improved commercial construction, home renovation projects, and repairs and upgrades to buildings and infrastructure.

Construction Millwright/Industrial Mechanic

This occupational group is expected to face labour shortage conditions nationally through 2028.  In Ontario, employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions and several positions due to retirements. Employment growth for  is due to improved economic growth and manufacturing activity, favourable levels of non-residential construction, including industrial maintenance projects, investments in mining operations and nuclear power generation, and the ongoing need to service and maintain equipment across various industries. Most of the job openings will arise from replacing retiring workers which will represent three-quarters of total job openings.  

Contractor

In Canada, new job openings for this occupation group, arising from expansion demand and replacement demand, are expected to total   22,400 , while   20,100   new job seekers are expected to be available to fill them.

Door and Window Installer

Job openings and job seekers are projected to be at relatively similar levels in Canada through 2028.   Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions and a moderate number of positions available due to retirements. 88% of workers in this occupation work full-time. 27% of residential and commercial installers  are self-employed.

Heavy Equipment Mechanic 

The labour shortage seen in recent years is expected to continue in Canada through 2028. Most job openings will arise from retiring workers, while new job creation is expected to represent about one third of openings. In Ontario, a moderate number of new positions and a moderate number of positions will become available from retirements. Employment growth will be from favourable levels of construction activity led by infrastructure investments in transit, power, highways and bridges that will support service and maintenance work for heavy-duty equipment mechanics, and the demand for new housing to meet population growth including the construction of multi-unit buildings in some of Ontario's largest urban centres. Greater manufacturing output and industrial activity including investments in mining may create opportunities at manufacturers and wholesalers of new and used equipment, and continuous need to service equipment in farming, forestry, waste management and snow clearing. Main sectors employment can be found in include wholesale trade, construction, repair and maintenance, mining, quarrying,  oil and gas generation, and agriculture.

Heavy Equipment Operator

Job openings and job seekers are projected to be at relatively similar levels  in Canada through 2028 for this occupation group. In Ontario,  employment growth is expected with a moderate number of new positions and a moderate number of positions available due to retirements. This growth will be due to greater manufacturing activity, demand for steel, non-metallic minerals and lumber, infrastructure investments in transit, power generation, highways and bridges, steady demand for housing, improved commercial construction, and expenditure on mineral exploration and mining development.

Machinist

Labour demand and labour supply are expected to be broadly in line for this occupation group over the 2019-2028 period at the national level. Employment outlook through at least 2023 for Ontario Is expected to have a moderate number of new positions and several positions due to retirements. Great economic activity In North America should raise demand for various manufactured goods supporting employment growth, as well as Investments In the automotive Industry expected to boost motor vehicle and parts manufacturing, the need for fabricated metal goods to support construction, power and mining, Improved Industrial activity and recovering aerospace manufacturing.

Metal Fabricator and Fitter*

There was a 108% increase in the annual number of job postings available in 2021 from 2017. The total projected number of job openings from 2021-2025 is 601-700 jobs, with just under half being new jobs and the remainder  replacement jobs. The median employment income for this occupational group with a college certificate or diploma is $60,519 compared to $53,007 for all occupations.

*Source: Ontario Labour Market

Truck and Coach Mechanic 

Job openings and job seekers are projected to be at relatively similar level s in Canada through 2028, as also seen in recent years.   In Ontario, employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions and a moderate number of positions  available due to retirements. Main trends showing growth in this occupation group  include  the    demand for  after-market automotive parts, the increased demand for trucking services, and the need to meet provincial safety standards.

Welder

This occupational group is expected to face labour shortage conditions in Canada through 2028. A moderate number of new positions and a moderate number of positions available due to retirements are expected in Ontario through 2023. The main trends affecting employment include greater industrial activity in Canada and the United States raising demand for various manufactured goods, including metal products and machinery,  investments in the automotive industry may boost activity in motor vehicle and parts manufacturing, investments in steel plants and increased orders for railroad car, steady levels of construction led by investments in transit, power, and highways and bridges, as well as multi-unit housing developments, will support opportunities in construction and the demand for metal building materials, and ongoing activities to repair and upgrade existing buildings and infrastructure and service equipment.