Job prospects Power Plant Engineer in Ontario
Green job Help - Green job - Help

Green job - Help

This occupation includes job titles whose primary duties and responsibilities lead to positive environmental outcomes. Job Bank uses a list of occupations that were identified as "green" through a task-based analysis conducted by the United States’ Occupational Information Network (O*NET), which was recognized by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and adapted to the National Occupational Classification (NOC) in Canada. This list may change over time. Learn more.

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "power plant engineer" in Ontario or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Ontario

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Moderate

The employment outlook will be moderate for Mechanical engineers (NOC 21301) in Ontario for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to several 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.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

The leading share employed in manufacturing, especially transportation equipment and machinery production
Professional, scientific and technical services industry, largely architectural, engineering and related services
Utilities, mostly electric power generation

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

Shift towards more advanced processes in manufacturing, including new production lines, increased use of robotics, and adoption of biomechanics, micro devices and nanotechnologies
Need for consultancy services to support clients including in the mining sector, which is experiencing higher investments due to global demand for metallic minerals
Upgrades to indoor air systems may support work for individuals in this profession, which includes heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) engineers

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

In addition to formal education, employers may require several years of experience working in the profession in a particular industry, and project management skills
Knowledge of 2D and 3D design software tools such as SOLIDWORKS or AutoCAD
Generally, ‘engineering’ is a regulated occupation in Ontario. Individuals must be licensed by Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) to practise ‘professional’ engineering in the province
- An unlicensed engineering graduate can carry out work in the occupation, however a licensed engineer must take responsibility and sign off on the work.

What Other Information Will I Find Helpful?

Travel to various sites including remote locations may be required
In general, Bridging Programs are available to assist internationally trained professionals in various fields enter the labour market more quickly in the province.

Here are some key facts about Mechanical engineers in Ontario:

Approximately 16,850 people work in this occupation.
Mechanical engineers mainly work in the following sectors:
- Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 32%
- Motor vehicle, body, trailer and parts manufacturing (NAICS 3361-3363): 16%
- Machinery manufacturing (NAICS 333): 8%
- Utilities (NAICS 22): 6%
78% of mechanical engineers work all year, while 22% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
9% of mechanical engineers are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
- Men: 89% compared to 52% for all occupations
- Women: 11% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
- no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
- high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 25% for all occupations
- apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
- college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 22% for all occupations
- bachelor's degree: 61% compared to 24% for all occupations
- university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 34% compared to 13% for all occupations

Explore job prospects in Ontario by economic region.

Location	Job prospects
Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula Region	Moderate
Kingston–Pembroke Region	Moderate
Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie Region	Moderate
London Region	Moderate
Muskoka–Kawarthas Region	Moderate
Northeast Region	Moderate
Northwest Region	Moderate
Ottawa Region	Moderate
Stratford–Bruce Peninsula Region	Moderate
Toronto Region	Moderate
Windsor-Sarnia Region	Moderate