Job prospects Purchasing Agent in Nova Scotia

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "purchasing agent" in Nova Scotia or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Nova Scotia

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be good for Procurement and purchasing agents and officers (NOC 12102) in Nova Scotia for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
• A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Although experience and credentials in supply-chain logistics are typically sought in more senior positions, the purchasing function may be shared with related roles in shipping and materials management within a firm. The occupation works within all industries, including manufacturing, trade and transportation, and in government.

Here are some key facts about Procurement and purchasing agents and officers in Nova Scotia:

• Approximately 950 people work in this occupation.
• Procurement and purchasing agents and officers mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 14%
  • Construction (NAICS 23): 9%
  • Hospitals (NAICS 622): 8%
  • Wholesale trade (NAICS 41): 8%
• 77% of procurement and purchasing agents and officers work all year, while 23% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
• 5% of procurement and purchasing agents and officers are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 43% compared to 51% for all occupations
  • Women: 56% compared to 49% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 23% compared to 27% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 9% compared to 12% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 30% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 31% compared to 20% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 5% compared to 10% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Nova Scotia by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "purchasing agent" Purchasing agents and officers (NOC 12102) or across Canada.

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