Job prospects Special Education Teacher - Elementary School in the Bas-Saint-Laurent Region

Over the past few years (2021-2023), the labour market was balanced for Elementary school and kindergarten teachers in the Bas-Saint-Laurent Region. The number of job openings was about the same as the number of workers available in this occupation.

Source Labour Market Information | Recent Trends Methodology

The employment outlook will be moderate for Elementary school and kindergarten teachers (NOC 41221) in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region for the 2024-2026 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
• Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Employment in this occupation varies according to government funding and changes in the number of students who are attending preschool and elementary school. According to the ministère de l'Éducation's projections, the number of students is expected to drop overall in the medium term.

New kindergarten classes for four-year-olds, which were not included in the projections above, would offset the anticipated drop at the preschool level, even though the Government of Quebec has slowed down the pace of its roll-out.

The record number of immigrants who arrived in 2023 should boost demand for preschool and primary school reception classes.

The teacher shortage, which is exacerbated by a significant number of employees leaving the occupation all together, remains a major concern in the school network. In addition to the salary adjustments granted, major investments have been announced to support the recognition of prior learning, and the recruitment, retention and return of retired staff to teaching.

Due to numerous vacancies, school service centres are hiring teachers who do not hold a bachelor's degree in teaching or a teaching certificate. A one-stop service has been set up to help them obtain it.

Teachers must now manage a variety of digital tools, such as online learning platforms, software to create interactive content and virtual collaboration tools.

Here are some key facts about Elementary school and kindergarten teachers in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region:

• Approximately 1,780 people work in this occupation.
• Elementary school and kindergarten teachers mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Educational services (NAICS 61): more than 95%

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology