Job prospects Package Handler in Prince Edward Island

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "package handler" in Prince Edward Island or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Prince Edward Island

These outlooks were updated on December 11, 2024.

Prospects over the next 3 years

Moderate

The employment outlook will be moderate for Mail and parcel sorters and related occupations (NOC 74100) in Prince Edward Island for the 2024-2026 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 a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

The majority of workers in this occupation are employed by Canada Post Corporation. Courier services account for a small share of the workforce.


The increasing use of digital communications has had a significant negative effect on postal and courier services. Mailings of bills and bank statements, which used to represent a core component of mail volume, have fallen dramatically as nearly three-quarters of Canadians have switched to e-billing and e-banking services. In response to this decline in traditional mail volume, postal service providers like Canada Post Corporation are catering their services to e-commerce. Growth in parcel delivery fueled by the popularity of online shopping has tempered the decline in mail volume, but not enough to offset the significant decline in letter mail.


Furthermore, increasing automation is also expected to affect employment in this occupation. In processing centres, sorting is increasingly carried out by high-speed automated sorting machines, some employment opportunities will arise due to retirements. However, the occupation has low requirements for entry therefore high turnover may also lead to employment opportunities. Keyboard skills are an essential requirement for employment as almost all of these individuals work in computerized environments. Overtime and weekend work is often required and individuals may be required to lift lightweight parcels.

Here are some key facts about Mail and parcel sorters and related occupations in Prince Edward Island:

  • Approximately 100 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
  • Mail and parcel sorters and related occupations mainly work in the following sectors:
    • Postal service, couriers and messengers (NAICS 491, 492): 84%
    • Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 14%
  • The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
    • Full-time workers: 79% compared to 84% for all occupations
    • Part-time workers: 21% compared to 16% for all occupations
  • 53% of mail and parcel sorters and related occupations work all year, while 47% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 39 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.
  • The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
    • Men: 35% compared to 51% for all occupations
    • Women: 65% compared to 49% for all occupations
  • The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
    • no high school diploma: n/a
    • high school diploma or equivalent: 32% compared to 28% for all occupations
    • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 9% compared to 11% for all occupations
    • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 32% compared to 25% for all occupations
    • bachelor's degree: 14% compared to 17% for all occupations
    • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a

Job prospects elsewhere in Canada

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "package handler" Mail, postal and related workers (NOC 74100) or across Canada.

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Labour Market Information Survey
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