A Deep Dive into Skilled Trades and Transportation

Automotive Mechanic

Job openings and job seekers are projected to be at relatively similar levels over the 2022-2031 period in Canada, with 54,000 expected new job openings and 44,800 new job seekers expected to be available to fill them. The employment outlook in Ontario through 2024 will have employment growth leading to several new positions and a moderate number of positions from retirements. There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation. Trends allowing for employment growth include 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, the need to meet warranty and service requirements for used and leased vehicles, and increased demand for trucking services and the need to meet provincial safety standards which will support demand for truck mechanics. Employers for this occupation are in automotive repair and maintenance shops, automobile dealerships, transit and ground passenger transportation providers, and trucking companies. 94% of this occupation are employed full-time, compared to 79% for all occupations.

Construction Estimator

Labour demand and labour supply are expected to be broadly in line for this occupation group over the 2022-2031 period at the national level. Employment outlook for Ontario will be good with employment growth leading to several new positions and several positions becoming available due to retirements. There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation. Employment growth will be supported by favourable construction activity  expected across Ontario, large investments in infrastructure, public facilities, and industrial projects such as mining and improved commercial construction. A steady demand for new housing including the construction of multi-unit buildings in some of Ontario’s largest urban centres, and the 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. Most estimators work in the construction industry, with a smaller number working in manufacturing and architectural, engineering and related services.

Construction Manager

Job openings and job seekers are projected to be at relatively similar levels over the 2022-2031 period in Canada. Ontario’s employment outlook will be moderate with employment growth leading to a moderate number of new positions and a moderate number of positions becoming available due to retirements. Construction activity is expected to be favourable across Ontario, with large infrastructure investments in transit, healthcare, utilities,  highways, and bridges, and a steady demand for new housing to meet population growth including the construction of multi-unit buildings in some of Ontario’s largest urban centre will support work for construction managers.

Investments in industrial projects and mining, improved commercial construction and home renovation projects, and the need to repair and upgrade buildings and infrastructure will also all lead to employment growth for this occupation. Construction for building companies, as specialty trade contractors, or in heavy and civil engineering construction is where most are employed, with a smaller number working in architectural and engineering services. Self-employment is common for this occupation with 31% self-employed compared to 12% average for all occupations.

Construction Worker

New job openings in Canada through 2031 are expected to total 19,600 with 17,900 new job seekers expected to be available to fill them. The balance between labour supply and demand is expected to continue through the projection period. The employment outlook in Ontario through 2024 will be moderate with a moderate number of new positions.  Not many positions will become available due to retirements.   This occupation is mainly working in the construction sector, with 86% working full-time compared to 79% for all occupations.

Contractor

Although this occupational group    has had a balanced market in Canada in recent years, projected job openings are expected to be substantially higher than job seekers, creating a shortage of workers over the 2022-2031 period. Ontario’s employment outlook will be moderate, with employment growth leading to a moderate number of new positions, but several positions will become available due to retirements. The majority of this occupation (83%) work in the construction sector, and 91% work full-time compared to 79% for all occupations. Compared to an average of 12% for all occupations, 51% of this group are self-employed.

Electrician

Although this occupational group has had a balanced market in recent years in Canada, projected job openings are expected to be substantially higher to job seekers, creating a shortage of workers in the 2022-2031 period. New job openings are expected to total 45,600 while 37,200 new job seekers are expected to be available to fill them.

In Ontario, job prospects are expected to be moderate, with employment growth leading to a moderate number of new positions. Most of this group work in construction, mainly as building equipment contractors. Construction activity is expected to be favourable across the province, along with large infrastructure investments in transit, healthcare, and public facilities, and improved commercial construction, all leading to employment growth. There will also be a steady demand for new housing to meet population growth, including the construction of multi-unit buildings in urban centres, and home renovation projects and the need to repair and upgrade buildings and public spaces.

Heavy Equipment Mechanic 

The balance in Canada between labour supply and demand seen in recent years is expected to continue through 2031, with 25,000 new job openings expected and 22,800 new job seekers to be able to fill them. The employment outlook will be good in Ontario with employment growth leading to several new positions, and a moderate number of positions becoming available due to retirements. There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation. 

Favourable levels of construction activity led by infrastructure investments in transit, power,  highways and bridges will support service and maintenance work for heavy-duty equipment mechanics. 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 will all bring employment growth. While this occupation group is employed across various industries, the largest number is employed in machinery and equipment wholesale, construction, and repair and maintenance services, with a smaller number working in agriculture, mining and manufacturing.

Industrial Electrician

Labour demand and labour supply are expected to be broadly in line for this occupation group through 2031, with 16,700 new job openings expected and 15,000 new job seekers expected to be able to fill them. Job prospects will be good in Ontario with employment growth leading to several new positions and several positions becoming available from retirements. Employment can be found with manufacturers such as motor vehicle and parts producers and construction companies. Employment growth will come from large-scale investment in electric vehicle production in the automotive manufacturing industry, and large infrastructure investments in transit, health care, and public facilities, and improved commercial construction.

Machine Shop Supervisor

Job openings and job seekers  in Canada are projected to be at relatively similar levels over the 2022-2031 period. The employment outlook will be moderate in Ontario with employment growth leading to several new positions and several positions becoming available from retirements. The top two sectors where this group works are the fabricated metal product manufacturing sector and the construction sector, followed by machinery manufacturing, motor vehicle, body, trailer and parts manufacturing and repair and maintenance sectors.

Machinist

The balance seen in recent years is expected to continue in Canada through 2031, with 14,00 new job openings expected, while 12,100 new job seekers are expected to be available to fill them. The employment outlook in Ontario will be moderate with employment expected to remain relatively stable, but  several positions will become available due to retirements. Investments in the automotive industry may boost activity in motor vehicle and parts manufacturing, though a shortage of semiconductor chips has led to production stoppages. The need for fabricated metal goods to support investments in construction, power, and mining, and conditions in aerospace manufacturing are expected to slowly recover as travel picks up, both leading to employment growth. Manufacturers, particularly in fabricated metal, machinery, motor vehicle parts, and aerospace manufacturing are the main employer.

Metal Fabricator and Fitter

 Labour market conditions are unavailable for Canada. The employment outlook in Ontario will be moderate, with employment growth leading to several new positions. Not many positions will become available due to retirements. For this occupation, work can mainly be found in the fabricated metal product manufacturing sector, construction sector, primary metal manufacturing sector, machinery manufacturing sector, and the wholesale trade sector.

Millwright/Industrial Mechanic

Although the labour shortage conditions seen in recent years for this occupation in Canada were expected to be temporary, the projected number of job seekers is not expected to be large enough to return this occupation to balance conditions in the 2022-2031 period. As a result, the shortage conditions will become more structural, continuing through 2031. New job openings are expected to total 35,900, while 34,000 new job seekers are expected to be available to fill them. The employment outlook for Ontario will be very good, with employment growth leading to several new positions and several positions coming from retirements. The main trends affecting employment  include favourable levels of non-residential construction, including industrial maintenance projects, investments in mining operations and nuclear power generation in Ontario, and the ongoing need to service and maintain equipment across various industries. Employment is often found with manufacturers, construction firms, commercial and industrial equipment repair and maintenance providers, mining companies, and electric power generation, transmission and distribution companies.

Truck and Coach Mechanic 

Job openings and job seekers are projected to be at relatively similar levels over the 2022-2031 period in Canada, with 54,000 expected new job openings and 44,800 new job seekers expected to be available to fill them. The employment outlook in Ontario through 2024 will have employment growth leading to several new positions and a moderate number of positions from retirements. There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation. Trends allowing for employment growth include 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, the need to meet warranty and service requirements for used and leased vehicles, and increased demand for trucking services and the need to meet provincial safety standards which will support demand for truck mechanics. Employers for this occupation are in automotive repair and maintenance shops, automobile dealerships, transit and ground passenger transportation providers, and trucking companies. 94% of this occupation are employed full-time, compared to 79% for all occupations.

Welder

The labour shortage conditions seen in recent years is expected to persist in Canada into the 2022-2031 period. The employment outlook in Ontario will be moderate with employment growth leading to several new positions and a moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements. Employment growth will be from investments in the automotive industry that may boost activity in motor vehicle and parts manufacturing, though a shortage of semiconductor chips has led to production stoppages. Investments in steel plants and increased orders for railroad car manufacturers, steady levels of construction led by investments in transit, power, and highways and bridges and multi-unit housing developments. These activities will support opportunities in construction and the demand for metal building materials. There will also be ongoing activities to repair and upgrade existing buildings and infrastructure and service equipment allowing for employment growth. The largest number in this occupation work in the manufacturing industry for metal, transportation, and machinery producers, while a smaller number work for companies that provide commercial and industrial equipment repair, as specialty trade and building equipment contractors in the construction industry.