The engineering profession continues to be a cornerstone of various industries, with demand fluctuating across different specialties. Here’s a detailed look at the projected job openings and workforce dynamics for various engineering disciplines over the next five years.
Civil Engineers
The civil engineering field is expected to experience an average of 2,500 job openings annually over the next five years. This figure includes around 1,000 openings due to industry growth and 1,500 openings due to the retirement of current professionals, given the high average age of civil engineers, particularly in British Columbia. Job openings are anticipated to decrease to about 1,800 annually towards the latter part of the forecast period due to a reduction in industry demand.
Canadian universities produce over 2,700 civil engineering degrees each year, and approximately 1,300 new entrants are estimated to join the occupation annually. There is expected to be some mobility between provinces, with engineers moving from Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec to British Columbia and Alberta. Labor market tightness will persist in British Columbia and Manitoba, making international in-migration crucial, with a high requirement of over 800 engineers annually.
Median Annual Wage ($) 2020-2025:
Mechanical Engineers
The mechanical engineering sector is forecasted to have about 2,100 job openings annually over the next five years. Expansion demand will account for roughly 825 openings each year, while replacement demand will contribute about 1,270 openings. Job openings are projected to taper off to 1,400 annually towards the end of the period due to diminished expansion demand.
Canadian universities grant over 3,000 mechanical engineering degrees annually, with an estimated 1,200 new entrants expected over the next five years. To meet supply requirements, international in-migration will need to average about 680 engineers annually, though this will decrease to 175 per year in the latter five years.
Median Annual Wage ($) 2020-2025:
Electrical and Electronics Engineers
For electrical and electronics engineers, about 1,800 job openings are expected annually, with nearly 1,200 of these due to retirements. Job openings will decrease to around 1,350 annually in the latter five years as industry demand falls. Replacement demand will remain significant, averaging 1,200 annually.
With over 2,000 degrees granted each year by Canadian universities, the supply seems adequate. However, about 1,100 new entrants are anticipated annually, necessitating a net in-migration of around 640 engineers per year, predominantly from international sources. The pressure for international in-migration is expected to reduce to about 420 annually towards the end of the forecast period.
Median Annual Wage ($) 2020-2025:
Chemical Engineers
Canadian universities issue approximately 1,300 chemical engineering degrees each year, ensuring a robust flow of new professionals. The average number of job openings for chemical engineers will be about 400 annually. Net in-migration requirements are relatively modest at around 95 annually, with international in-migration contributing about 90 engineers annually, decreasing to 25 in the latter five years.
Median Annual Wage ($) 2020-2025:
Mining Engineers
The mining engineering sector will see about 175 job openings annually over the next five years. With over 200 degrees awarded annually, the flow of new entrants should be sufficient. However, recurring periods of tight labor markets in British Columbia, Ontario, and New Brunswick, driven by major mining projects, could impact the supply. Net in-migration is estimated at 70 annually, with international in-migration at 66 annually.
Median Annual Wage ($) 2020-2025:
Project Managers
There will be approximately 1,080 job openings for project managers each year over the next five years. Replacement demand will account for over 70% of these openings. Mobility within the profession, as experienced engineers are promoted to project management roles, will largely supply this demand. International in-migration is expected to average about 100 annually, though inter-provincial migration will be limited due to licensing requirements.
Median Annual Wage ($) 2020-2025:
Software Engineers
The software engineering sector is projected to generate about 1,250 job openings annually, with half of these located in Ontario. Despite a steady demand, job openings are expected to remain stable during the latter five years. With nearly 800 degrees awarded annually and an anticipated 1,000 new entrants, the sector should meet demand without significant excess.
Median Annual Wage ($) 2020-2025:
Conclusion
The engineering job market in Canada presents a mix of challenges and opportunities across various disciplines. While some fields, like civil and mechanical engineering, face significant demand due to retirements and industry growth, others like chemical engineering and mining engineering have more stable projections. Understanding these trends can help prospective engineers and current professionals navigate their careers and make informed decisions about their future in the industry.