Job prospects Excavator Operator in Yukon

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "excavator operator" in Yukon or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Yukon

These outlooks were updated on December 11, 2024.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be moderate for Heavy equipment operators (NOC 73400) in Yukon for the 2024-2026 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
• Several positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

• This occupation will benefit from major public and private construction projects scheduled in the Yukon over the forecast period.
• For example, in September 2024, the federal government and Government of Yukon signed a new 10-year agreement totaling over $200 million through the Canada Community-Building Fund, aimed at supporting core infrastructure and housing development projects in the Yukon.
• Canada's interest and inflation rates started to decline in 2024. This shift may increase demand for occupations within the Yukon's construction sector.
• Looking beyond the forecast period, The Conference Board of Canada (2024) predicts that this occupation will be in the top 10 in terms of openings of all occupations in the Yukon from 2024 to 2045.

Here are some key facts about Heavy equipment operators in Yukon:

• Approximately 300 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
• Heavy equipment operators mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 21): 35%
  • Public Administration and Defence (NAICS 91): 30%
  • Construction (NAICS 23): 25%
• 53% of heavy equipment operators work all year, while 47% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 40 weeks compared to 44 weeks for all occupations.
• Less than 5% of heavy equipment operators are self-employed compared to an average of 14% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 88% compared to 49% for all occupations
  • Women: 13% compared to 51% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 28% compared to 11% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 45% compared to 25% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 16% compared to 13% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 10% compared to 20% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: n/a
  • 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 an "excavator operator" Heavy equipment operators (except crane) (NOC 73400) or across Canada.

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