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 (Bricklayers) is part of a larger occupational group called Masonry and Plastering Trades (NOC 728).

Occupation Projection for Canada

Over the 2008-2010 period, this occupation experienced a drop in employment while the unemployment rate, one of the highest for all occupations, increased more quickly than the average for all occupations. The average hourly wage for this occupation rose at the same pace as for all occupations, but it remained one of the lowest for the construction trades. According to key labour market indicators, the number of job seekers was more than 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 Masonry And Plastering Trades, over the 2011-2020 period, job openings (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) are expected to total 23,383 and 29,052 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 there was surplus labour supply over the 2008-2010 period, this occupation is expected to continue to have surplus labour supply over the 2011-2020 period. Job openings will arise both from new positions due to economic growth and from retirements. Retirement will be an important source of job openings despite a retirement rate lower than that for other occupations. The low retirement rate in this occupation is due to the fact that workers are generally younger than the average and retire later than those in other occupations. Consequently, the gap between the average age of workers and the retirement age is greater than the average. The number of job openings arising from economic growth will be much lower than over the 2001-2010 period, during which the construction industry was stimulated by the building of new housing units, a substantial increase in renovation spending and, more recently, the increase in non-residential construction spending. However, the recent recession and a slowdown in population growth will result in a decrease in demand for housing and, therefore, a drop in the number of new job openings for masonry and plastering tradespeople. With regard to labour supply, the majority of job seekers will come from the school system. However, immigrants will account for nearly 20% of job seekers.

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, 27% 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 (Bricklayers) is part of a larger group called Masonry and Plastering Trades (NOC 728). According to the Labour Force Survey (2009), 34% 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 (Bricklayers) is part of a larger group called Masonry and Plastering Trades (NOC 728). According to the Labour Force Survey (2009), the unionization rate for this group was 43%, while the unionization rate for all occupations was 31%.