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 (Oil and Gas Well Drillers, Servicers, Testers and Related Workers) is part of a larger occupational group called Underground Miners, Oil and Gas Drillers and Related Workers (NOC 823).

Occupation Projection for Canada

Over the 2008-2010 period, employment in this occupation remained stable, but the unemployment rate increased slightly. However, the average hourly wage grew 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 Underground Miners, Oil And Gas Drillers And Related Workers, over the 2011-2020 period, job openings (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) are expected to total 22,969 and 22,571 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. Expansion demand will be the main source of job openings over the projection period, although it will be less than that observed over the 2001-2010 period. In fact, during this period, employment grew substantially in the oil and gas industry, which has been in full expansion for several years as a result of global demand and the price of energy products. Significant investments in modernizing current facilities and launching new projects, particularly in the oil sands, contributed to the strong labour demand during this period. However, over the projection period, new job creation will slow down as a result of technological advances in oil sands treatment, which will reduce labour market needs by increasing productivity, and also because of the less rapid growth in international demand for oil. The growing demand for base metals will also stimulate employment growth in this occupation. Several job openings will also result from retirements although the retirement rate is less than the average for all occupations because of the young age of workers in this occupation. In terms of supply, the majority of job seekers will come from the school system. Mobility will also be a very substantial source of job seekers. In fact, a number of workers from other occupations will come to work in this one. This mobility, to the benefit of this occupation, is due to the favourable job prospects and wages in occupations in the oil and gas industry.

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, 9% of people in this occupation were self-employed, while the average for all occupations was 12%.

The Labour Force Survey also gives us some information about self-employment. This occupation (Oil and Gas Well Drillers, Servicers, Testers and Related Workers) is part of a larger group called Underground Miners, Oil and Gas Drillers and Related Workers (NOC 823). According to the Labour Force Survey (2009), 25% of workers in this group were self-employed, while the average for all occupations was 16%.

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

This occupation (Oil and Gas Well Drillers, Servicers, Testers and Related Workers) is part of a larger group called Underground Miners, Oil and Gas Drillers and Related Workers (NOC 823). According to the Labour Force Survey (2009), the unionization rate for this group was 40%, while the unionization rate for all occupations was 31%.