Job prospects Excavating Machine Operator in New Brunswick

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

Job opportunities in New Brunswick

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be moderate for Heavy equipment operators (NOC 73400) in New Brunswick for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment is expected to remain relatively stable.
• 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 tend to be more favourable during the summer months.

• This role involves the operation of various heavy machinery, including compaction rollers, dozers, excavators, graders, loaders and tractor loader backhoes. Most of these tasks are carried out in the non-residential construction sector. With investment expected to be steady over the forecast period, opportunities should be moderate.
• Candidates typically require industry courses in heavy equipment operation, in addition to on-the-job training. Internal company certification may be required by some employers. This occupation is provincially regulated and Red Seal certification applies to the operation of certain types of heavy machinery.

Here are some key facts about Heavy equipment operators in New Brunswick:

• Approximately 2,650 people work in this occupation.
• Heavy equipment operators mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Construction (NAICS 23): 59%
  • Mining and quarrying (NAICS 212-213): 10%
  • Wood product manufacturing (NAICS 321): 5%
• 44% of heavy equipment operators work all year, while 56% 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 42 weeks for all occupations.
• Less than 5% of heavy equipment operators are self-employed compared to an average of 10% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: more than 95% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: less than 5% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 28% compared to 11% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 43% compared to 30% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 17% compared to 12% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 10% compared to 23% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 16% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in New Brunswick 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 "excavating machine operator" Heavy equipment operators (except crane) (NOC 73400) or across Canada.

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