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 (Food and Beverage Servers) is part of a larger occupational group called Occupations in Food and Beverage Service (NOC 645).

Occupation Projection for Canada

Over the 2008-2010 period, employment in this occupation dropped while the unemployment rate increased at the same pace as the rate for all occupations. The unemployment rate for this occupation was at 8% in 2010, which was average for the economy. The average hourly wage for this occupation increased more quickly than the average for the other occupations over this period, but remained one of the lowest for all occupations. According to key labour market indicators, the number of job seekers was sufficient to fill the 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 Occupations In Food And Beverage Service, over the 2011-2020 period, job openings (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) are expected to total 66,861 and 72,971 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 were balanced in this occupation, it is expected that labour supply and demand will continue to be balanced. In other words, the number of job seekers will be sufficient to fill the job openings over the 2011-2020 period. The majority of job openings in this occupation will arise from new positions as a result of economic growth. Expansion demand will in fact be much greater than it was over the 2001-2010 period when it was almost non-existent. The economic recovery and continued increase in consumer spending should boost short-term employment growth in this occupation. School leavers will be the main source of job seekers. In fact, the number of school leavers will be very large and will represent nearly twice the total number of expected job openings over the 2011-2020 period. However, since this occupation does not require any specific skills, a number of workers will choose to work in this occupation on a temporary basis while looking for work in an occupation that better matches their career goals. Consequently, in the coming years, a large number of workers will leave this occupation for other employment, which will increase the replacement demand.

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 proportion of people in this occupation work full-time and part-time?

The graph displays the proportion of people in this occupation who worked full-time and part-time in comparison to the Canadian average across all occupations.

According to the Labour Force Survey (2009), 42% of workers in this occupation worked full-time, compared to the average of 81% for all occupations.

What proportion of men and women work in this occupation?

The graph displays the proportion of men and women in this occupation in comparison to the Canadian average across all occupations.

According to the Labour Force Survey (2009), women represented 81% of workers in this occupation, compared to the average of 48% for all occupations.

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

This occupation (Food and Beverage Servers) is part of a larger group called Occupations in Food and Beverage Service (NOC 645). According to the Labour Force Survey (2009), the unionization rate for this group was 7%, while the unionization rate for all occupations was 31%.