Job prospects Fishing Vessel Deckhand in Nova Scotia

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "fishing vessel deckhand" in Nova Scotia or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Nova Scotia

These outlooks were updated on December 11, 2024.

Prospects over the next 3 years

Moderate

The employment outlook will be moderate for Fishing vessel deckhands (NOC 84121) in Nova Scotia for the 2024-2026 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

  • Employment is expected to remain relatively stable.
  • Several positions will become available due to retirements.
  • There are a moderate number of 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.

Hiring for this occupation is done mostly via word-of-mouth and personal connections, which can make it difficult for newcomers to a community, or those who are newly interested in fishing, to secure employment. Hiring is also seasonal in nature, with the greatest demand for labour occurring shortly after the opening of a fishing area.

Here are some key facts about Fishing vessel deckhands in Nova Scotia:

  • Approximately 1,500 people work in this occupation.
  • Fishing vessel deckhands mainly work in the following sectors:
    • Fishing, hunting and trapping (NAICS 114): more than 95%
  • The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
    • Full-time workers: 90% compared to 82% for all occupations
    • Part-time workers: 10% compared to 18% for all occupations
  • 7% of fishing vessel deckhands work all year, while 93% 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 22 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
  • 10% of fishing vessel deckhands are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.
  • The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
    • Men: 88% compared to 51% for all occupations
    • Women: 12% compared to 49% for all occupations
  • The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
    • no high school diploma: 30% compared to 10% for all occupations
    • high school diploma or equivalent: 36% compared to 27% for all occupations
    • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 18% compared to 12% for all occupations
    • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 12% compared to 22% for all occupations
    • bachelor's degree: less than 5% 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.

Legend

0 out of 5 stars
Undetermined
1 out of 5 stars
Very limited
2 out of 5 stars
Limited
3 out of 5 stars
Moderate
4 out of 5 stars
Good
5 out of 5 stars
Very good
Location Job prospects
Annapolis Valley Region Moderate
Cape Breton Region Moderate
Halifax Region Undetermined
North Shore Region Moderate
Southern Region Moderate

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Job prospects elsewhere in Canada

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "fishing vessel deckhand" Fishing vessel deckhands (NOC 84121) or across Canada.

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Labour Market Information Survey
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