National Outlook – 10-Year Projection (2011-2020)

This section provides labour demand and labour supply projections for this occupation over the 2011-2020 period.

Note: The tables, graphs and middle paragraph shown under this section display updated 2011-2020 projection results. The remaining narrative text (2009-2018 projections) will be updated shortly. We apologize for the inconvenience.

The data in the following table are derived from HRSDC’s Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS). COPS uses a variety of models to produce a detailed 10-year labour market projection per broad skill level and per occupation at the national level, which focuses on the trends of labour supply and labour demand over the next ten years.

This occupation (Crane Operators) is part of a larger occupational group called Crane Operators, Drillers and Blasters (NOC 737).

Occupation Projection for Canada

Over the 2008-2010 period, this occupation experienced a drop in employment while the unemployment rate increased sharply. It was 11.7% in 2010, well above the rate for all occupations (7.6%). However, the average hourly wage in this occupation increased more quickly than the average for all occupations. According to key labour market indicators, the number of job seekers was sufficient to fill job openings in this occupation.

Over the 2011-2020 period, an occupation will be in excess demand (a shortage of workers) if the projected number of job openings is significantly greater than the projected number of job seekers. An occupation will be in excess supply (a surplus of workers) if the projected number of job openings is smaller than the projected number of job seekers. For Crane Operators, Drillers And Blasters, over the 2011-2020 period, job openings (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) are expected to total 7,789 and 6,700 job seekers (arising from school leavers, immigration and mobility) are expected to be available to fill the job openings.

Based on projections and considering that labour supply and demand in this occupation were balanced, it is expected that the number of job seekers will remain sufficient to fill job openings over the 2011-2020 period. The majority of job openings will arise from retirements, despite a retirement rate similar to the average for all occupations. Very few job openings will arise from expansion demand over the projection period, but will be greater than those observed over the 2001-2010 period. The economic recovery, particularly in non-residential construction, will stop the decline in employment in this occupation. In terms of supply, slightly more than half of job seekers will come directly from the school system. The rest of the job seekers will come from other occupations.

This Chart contains data for Projection of Job Openings vs. Job Seekers for Canada. Information is available in the following tables.

In which industry or sector do people in this occupation find jobs in Canada?

This table shows the industry and sectors employing the highest number of people in this occupation.

What percentage of people in this occupation are self-employed?

The graph displays the percentage of people in this occupation who are “self-employed”, according to the 2006 Census, in comparison to the Canadian average across all occupations.

As shown in the graph, according to the 2006 Census, 4% of people in this occupation were self-employed, while the average for all occupations was 12%.

The data from the Labour Force Survey (2009) regarding self-employment for this group are not sufficiently reliable to be published.

What percentage of people in this occupation are members of a union?

This occupation (Crane Operators) is part of a larger group called Crane Operators, Drillers and Blasters (NOC 737). According to the Labour Force Survey (2009), the unionization rate for this group was 55%, while the unionization rate for all occupations was 31%.