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 (Railway Track Maintenance Workers) is part of a larger occupational group called Other Transport Equipment Operators and Related Workers (NOC 743).

Occupation Projection for Canada

Over the 2008-2010 period, employment in this occupation increased sharply and the unemployment rate dropped. The average hourly wage for this occupation grew at the same rate as the average for all occupations and was competitive in relation to other transport equipment operator or driver occupations. According to key labour market indicators, the number of job seekers in this occupations was sufficient to fill job openings.

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 Other Transport Equipment Operators And Related Workers, over the 2011-2020 period, job openings (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) are expected to total 5,263 and 8,516 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 in this occupation will be more than sufficient to fill job openings over the 2011-2020 period. Employment growth due to economic activity during this period will be almost non-existent so that replacement needs will be the sole source of job openings. The decrease in rail and maritime transport as a result of the decline in manufacturing will account for the employment stagnation expected over the projection period. The increase in the number of retirements will, however, help make up for the job losses, although the retirement rate will be lower than the average for all occupations. In terms of supply, all job seekers over the projection period will come from the school system.

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 members of a union?

This occupation (Railway Track Maintenance Workers) is part of a larger group called Other Transport Equipment Operators and Related Workers (NOC 743). According to the Labour Force Survey (2009), the unionization rate for this group was 75%, while the unionization rate for all occupations was 31%.