Job prospects Software Development Programmer in the Outaouais Region

Over the past few years (2021-2023), there was a labour shortage for Computer programmers and interactive media developers in the Outaouais Region. There were more job openings than workers available to fill them in this occupation.

Source Labour Market Information | Recent Trends Methodology

The employment outlook will be very good for Software developers and programmers (NOC 21232) in the Outaouais region 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 a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Employment in this occupation primarily depends on the demand for professional, scientific, and technical services, and to a lesser extent, on the demand in the video game industry. Several other sectors also rely on these professionals, such as the information, finance, and insurance industries.

The rapid evolution of information technologies and their implementation in an increasing number of fields provides a clear advantage to these workers. Several areas within information technology are expanding, including cybersecurity, cloud services, cryptography, mobile development or more intuitive applications, artificial intelligence, and automation.

In order to to maintain their competitiveness, the transition of businesses to this new digital era, research and development, automation, and the pursuit of greater productivity will contribute to the creation of new positions.

The ongoing needs for software development and updates will support certain jobs.

The outlook is less positive than in the past for the video game industry. However, as it is well-established in Quebec, this sub-sector will continue to generate some job opportunities for this occupation (mobile games, animation, virtual and augmented reality, etc.).

Here are some key facts about Software developers and programmers in the Outaouais region:

• Approximately 620 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
• Software developers and programmers mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 54): 39%
  • Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 30%
  • Information, cultural, arts, entertainment and recreation services (NAICS 51, 71): 9%
  • Finance, insurance and Real estate and rental and leasing (NAICS 52-53): 7%

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology