Job prospects Heavy Equipment Operator in Nunavut

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "heavy equipment operator" in Nunavut or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Nunavut

These outlooks were updated on December 11, 2024.

Prospects over the next 3 years

Good

The employment outlook will be good for Heavy equipment operators (NOC 73400) in Nunavut for the 2024-2026 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

  • Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
  • 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 may vary depending on the time of the year.
  • This occupation will benefit from major public and private construction projects scheduled in Nunavut over the next few years. For example, as part of the territorial government's $2.6 billion Nunavut 3000 project, about 1,000 new housing units are planned to be built by the end of 2025.
  • Canada's interest and inflation rates started to decline in 2024, which may stimulate economic activities in the construction sector.
  • Local training for this occupation is available at Nunavut Arctic College.

Here are some key facts about Heavy equipment operators in Nunavut:

  • Approximately 200 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
  • Heavy equipment operators mainly work in the following sectors:
    • Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 21): 35%
    • Public Administration and Defence (NAICS 91): 30%
    • Construction (NAICS 23): 25%
  • 64% of heavy equipment operators work all year, while 36% work only part of the year, compared to 72% and 28% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 40 weeks compared to 44 weeks for all occupations.
  • The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
    • Men: 91% compared to 51% for all occupations
    • Women: 9% compared to 49% for all occupations
  • The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
    • no high school diploma: 45% compared to 37% for all occupations
    • high school diploma or equivalent: 16% compared to 22% for all occupations
    • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 28% compared to 11% for all occupations
    • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 10% compared to 15% for all occupations
    • bachelor's degree: n/a
    • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a

Job prospects elsewhere in Canada

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "heavy equipment operator" Heavy equipment operators (except crane) (NOC 73400) or across Canada.

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Labour Market Information Survey
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