Job prospects Excavating Machine Operator in Nunavut

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "excavating machine operator" in Nunavut or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Nunavut

These outlooks were updated on December 11, 2024.

Prospects over the next 3 years

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

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
• A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
• Due to the seasonal nature of this occupation, employment opportunities may vary depending on the time of the year.

• This occupation will benefit from major public and private construction projects scheduled in Nunavut over the next few years. For example, as part of the territorial government's $2.6 billion Nunavut 3000 project, about 1,000 new housing units are planned to be built by the end of 2025.
• Canada's interest and inflation rates started to decline in 2024, which may stimulate economic activities in the construction sector.
• Local training for this occupation is available at Nunavut Arctic College.

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

• Approximately 200 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%
• 64% of heavy equipment operators work all year, while 36% work only part of the year, compared to 72% and 28% 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.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 91% compared to 51% for all occupations
  • Women: 9% compared to 49% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 45% compared to 37% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 16% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 28% compared to 11% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 10% compared to 15% 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 "excavating machine operator" Heavy equipment operators (except crane) (NOC 73400) or across Canada.

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