Job prospects Toolmaker in Ontario

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

Job opportunities in Ontario

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be good for Tool and die makers (NOC 72101) in Ontario for the 2023-2025 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 small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

• Mainly employed in the manufacturing industry, specifically in machinery, transportation equipment and fabricated metal production

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

• Much of the demand for tool and die making comes from the automotive industry
  • Investments may boost activity in motor vehicle and parts manufacturing over the forecast period
• Automation and 3D printing have been growing trends in the tool and die creation process, which may alter the skill requirements of tool and die makers

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

• Voluntary skilled trades are associated with this occupation in the province
  • Although voluntary, those with certification will have improved job prospects.

Here are some key facts about Tool and die makers in Ontario:

• Approximately 8,400 people work in this occupation.
• Tool and die makers mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Motor vehicle, body, trailer and parts manufacturing (NAICS 3361-3363): 34%
  • Machinery manufacturing (NAICS 333): 33%
  • Fabricated metal product manufacturing (NAICS 332): 9%
  • Plastics and rubber products manufacturing (NAICS 326): 6%
• 66% of tool and die makers work all year, while 34% 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 46 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
• Less than 5% of tool and die makers are self-employed compared to an average of 15% 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: 7% compared to 9% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 21% compared to 25% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 32% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 35% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 24% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Ontario by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology