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 (Employment Counsellors) is part of a larger occupational group called Paralegals, Social Services Workers and Occupations in Education and Religion, n.e.c. (NOC 421).

Occupation Projection for Canada

Over the 2008-2010 period, employment growth in this occupation was much faster than the average for all occupations. The increase in the average hourly wage was on par with the overall average. However, the average hourly wage in this occupation was low in relation to comparable occupations. In spite of everything, the unemployment rate increased slightly over this period, but remained relatively low in 2010 at 3.5%. 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 Paralegals, Social Services Workers And Occupations In Education And Religion, N.E.C., over the 2011-2020 period, job openings (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) are expected to total 171,152 and 154,893 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 the job openings over the 2011-2020 period. The annual difference between supply and demand is very small, representing only 0.4% of employment in 2010. Job openings will arise from strong employment growth as well as retirements. Expansion demand will be above the average, given the major needs in the social services sector and the increased demand for daycare service workers as a result of the recent increase in births. While the number of retirements will be high, the retirement rate will be slightly lower than the average as workers in this occupation are generally younger. In terms of supply, the majority of job seekers over the projection period will come from the school system. Immigrants will also represent an appreciable source of job seekers. However, a large number of workers will leave this occupation for others, in particular, to become social workers (NOC 415), which will create additional replacement needs in this occupation. In fact, this occupation accepts many graduates who have a university diploma, but are unable to find a job related to their field of study.

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, 5% 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 (Employment Counsellors) is part of a larger group called Paralegals, Social Services Workers and Occupations in Education and Religion, n.e.c. (NOC 421). According to the Labour Force Survey (2009), 21% of workers in this group were self-employed, while the average for all occupations was 16%.

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 69% 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 (Employment Counsellors) is part of a larger group called Paralegals, Social Services Workers and Occupations in Education and Religion, n.e.c. (NOC 421). According to the Labour Force Survey (2009), the unionization rate for this group was 33%, while the unionization rate for all occupations was 31%.