Job prospects Answering Service Operator in Québec

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "answering service operator" in Québec or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Québec

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be limited for Receptionists (NOC 14101) in Quebec for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment decline will lead to the loss of some positions.
• A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

The use of hybrid and remote working methods since the pandemic has affected the demand for this occupation. This transition has also led to a change in the traditional tasks of receptionists and broadened the skills required to practise this profession. For example, technical skills and digital tool management have become important.

The automation of certain tasks, such as automated telephone answering services, online appointment booking or inquiries and digital recording, has freed up these workers from certain tasks so that they can concentrate on other important ones.

The number of workers available in this profession reduces job opportunities for candidates without experience and few skills. Businesses tend to favour those who are bilingual and have computer knowledge and experience.

Here are some key facts about Receptionists in Quebec:

• Approximately 20,400 people work in this occupation.
• Receptionists mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 14%
  • Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 9%
  • Hospitals (NAICS 622): 8%
  • Finance, insurance, real estate and leasing (NAICS 52, 53): 7%
  • Personal and laundry services (NAICS 812): 5%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 65% compared to 82% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 35% compared to 18% for all occupations
• 46% of receptionists work all year, while 54% 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 38 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
• Less than 5% of receptionists are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 12% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 88% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 11% compared to 12% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 33% compared to 19% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 21% compared to 19% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 25% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 8% 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

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "answering service operator" Receptionists (NOC 14101) or across Canada.

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