Job prospects First Responder in Nova Scotia

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "first responder" 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 Paramedical occupations (NOC 32102) in Nova Scotia 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 a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

There is a growing need for emergency medical services in the province, in part due to the aging population. The majority of newly-trained paramedics, or those relocating to the province, are placed in communities around the province as filling positions in these areas has been difficult in the past due to a limited labour pool. The job market in Halifax and surrounding areas is more competitive, and these positions are often rewarded to experienced paramedics already employed with Emergency Health Services. Wage competitiveness with other jurisdictions is becoming a growing issue for retention. Current recruitment efforts include looking outside the province for trained paramedics.

Here are some key facts about Paramedical occupations in Nova Scotia:

• Approximately 1,250 people work in this occupation.
• Paramedical occupations mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 83%
  • Hospitals (NAICS 622): 11%
  • Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 5%
• 80% of paramedical occupations work all year, while 20% 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.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 68% compared to 51% for all occupations
  • Women: 32% 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: 6% compared to 27% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 20% compared to 12% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 57% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 14% compared to 20% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 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 "first responder" in Nova Scotia or across Canada.

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