Job prospects General Labourer - Material Handling in the Wood Buffalo–Cold Lake Region
Explore current and future job prospects for people working as "Material handlers" in the Wood Buffalo–Cold Lake Region or across Canada.
Current and future job prospects
These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.
Recent trends from the past 3 years
Over the past few years (2021-2023), there was a labour shortage for Material handlers in the Wood Buffalo–Cold Lake Region. There were more job openings than workers available to fill them in this occupation.
Source Labour Market Information | Recent Trends Assessment Methodology
Job outlook over the next 3 years
The employment outlook will be moderate for Material handlers (NOC 75101) in the Wood Buffalo - Cold Lake region for the 2023-2025 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
- A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
- There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
E-commerce, or online shopping, has gained a growing percentage of total retail sales across Canada in recent years. In response, retailers have built large fulfillment centres near urban areas to bring down delivery costs and times, leading to a high demand for this occupation. It is unlikely that the trend will reverse in the near term.
Here are some key facts about Material handlers in the Wood Buffalo - Cold Lake region:
- Approximately 600 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
- Material handlers mainly work in the following sectors:
- Transportation and warehousing (NAICS 48-49): 25%
- Retail Trade (NAICS 44-45): 24%
- Wholesale trade (NAICS 41): 19%
- Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211, 213): 11%
- Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 5%
Labour market conditions over the next 10 years
Find out what will be the job prospects for Material handlers across Canada over the next 10 years, from 2022 to 2031.
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