Job prospects Pipelayer Operator in the Côte-Nord Region

Over the past few years (2021-2023), there was a labour surplus for Heavy equipment operators (except crane) in the Côte-Nord Region. There were more workers available than job openings in this occupation.

Source Labour Market Information | Recent Trends Assessment Methodology

The employment outlook will be limited for Heavy equipment operators (NOC 73400) in the Côte-Nord and Nord-du-Québec regions 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.

Employment in this occupation primarily depends on activity in the construction industry, particularly in engineering and road construction work.

Public transit structuring projects, including work to maintain and rehabilitate bridges, tunnels, and roads, ensure slight job growth in this profession.

A few wind and power line projects are also expected to get underway in the next few years.

In other industry segments, residential construction starts are expected to decline, primarily due to rising costs and interest rates, while the institutional segment will remain active. The level of activity in commercial and industrial construction segments is expected to remain stable, but economic uncertainty and inflation may delay some projects.

While certain factors are driving a slight increase in employment, they will not be enough to compensate for the impact of other factors influencing the profession.

While the employment outlook for this occupation is limited at the provincial level, it will be moderate in five regions.

Here are some key facts about Heavy equipment operators in the Côte-Nord and Nord-du-Québec regions:

• Approximately 1,100 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
• Heavy equipment operators mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Construction (NAICS 23): 45%
  • Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 21): 19%
  • Wood product manufacturing (NAICS 321): 15%

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology