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 (Plastic Products Assemblers, Finishers and Inspectors) is part of a larger occupational group called Other Assembly and Related Occupations (NOC 949).

Occupation Projection for Canada

Over the 2008-2010 period, this occupation experienced a drop in employment and an increase in the unemployment rate that was faster than the rate for all occupations. The unemployment rate was very high compared to the average unemployment rate. The average hourly wage for this occupation increased more quickly than for all occupations. However, it remained low in comparison to other occupations in the manufacturing sector. According to key labour market indicators, the number of job seekers in this occupation was more than 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 Assembly And Related Occupations, over the 2011-2020 period, job openings (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) are expected to total 16,315 and 40,153 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 in this occupation exceeded demand in recent years, it is expected that the number of job seekers will remain greater than the number of job openings over the 2011-2020 period. Because expansion demand will be negative, all job openings over the projection period will arise from retirements. The retirement rate in this occupation will be on par with the average for all occupations. With respect to expansion demand, the job losses recorded in recent years will continue over the projection period, but at a slower rate than over the 2001-2010 period. During this period, employment dropped after strong appreciation of the Canadian dollar along with an increase in competition on the furniture and forestry products markets (the primary industries for this occupation). Over the projection period, economic growth will slow down the employment decline, but the slowdown in real estate will limit employment growth. In terms of supply, the majority of job seekers will come from the school system. There will nevertheless be a large portion of new workers from immigration. The fact that the specific training required for this occupation is generally offered on the job enables immigrants to obtain employment in this sector more easily.

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, 2% 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 (Plastic Products Assemblers, Finishers and Inspectors) is part of a larger group called Other Assembly and Related Occupations (NOC 949). According to the Labour Force Survey (2009), 12% 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 58% 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 (Plastic Products Assemblers, Finishers and Inspectors) is part of a larger group called Other Assembly and Related Occupations (NOC 949). According to the Labour Force Survey (2009), the unionization rate for this group was 29%, while the unionization rate for all occupations was 31%.