Job prospects Cafeteria Cook in Québec

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "cafeteria cook" in Québec or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Québec

These outlooks were updated on December 11, 2024.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be limited for Cooks (NOC 63200) in Quebec for the 2024-2026 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
• Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

The employment dynamics in this occupation depend on trends that affect the food service sector. This industry is characterized by a highly competitive business environment and low profit margins, which lead to significant firm turnover.

Despite the increase in household incomes, the uncertainty surrounding the economy could further affect the restaurant industry given that dining out depends primarily on discretionary spending.

The food service sector is also facing competition from retail businesses that are diversifying their offering with ready-to-cook meals and fast food or ready-to-eat outlets.

However, population aging, the increase in the number of single-person households and better tourism opportunities in Quebec could support this occupation.

The influx of immigrants supported the sector by increasing the number of potential employees, which resulted in more competition for positions. While the situation has improved in large cities, some regions are still having recruitment difficulties.

Nevertheless, turnover may result in additional employment opportunities. People with experience will find work more easily and recruitment difficulties will improve prospects for less experienced job seekers. However, while this supports slight job growth, these factors will be insufficient to offset the effect of other factors influencing the occupation.

Here are some key facts about Cooks in Quebec:

• Approximately 42,200 people work in this occupation.
• Cooks mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Food services and drinking places (NAICS 722): 72%
  • Social assistance (NAICS 624): 6%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 63% compared to 82% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 37% compared to 18% for all occupations
• 41% of cooks work all year, while 59% 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 36 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
• Less than 5% of cooks are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 56% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 43% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 31% compared to 12% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 28% compared to 19% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 23% compared to 19% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 12% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 17% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Québec by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Job prospects elsewhere in Canada

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "cafeteria cook" Cooks (NOC 63200) or across Canada.

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