Job prospects Maintenance Mechanic, Plant Machinery in Alberta

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "maintenance mechanic, plant machinery" in Alberta or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Alberta

These outlooks were updated on December 11, 2024.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be good for Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics (NOC 72400) in Alberta for the 2024-2026 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
• Several positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

• Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics will continue to be in demand with long-term employment prospects in the energy, manufacturing, and agricultural sectors. 
• Large food processors and manufacturers have expanded in southern Alberta in recent years, creating some employment opportunities.
• Employment opportunities will also be available in natural gas and combined cycle power plant maintenance work. In addition, turnaround work in oil sands operations and natural gas plants will provide workers with opportunities in the long-term.

Here are some key facts about Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics in Alberta:

• Approximately 12,200 people work in this occupation.
• Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211): 15%
  • Construction (NAICS 23): 12%
  • Repair and maintenance (NAICS 811): 9%
  • Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 8%
  • Wood product manufacturing (NAICS 321): 8%
• 64% of construction millwrights and industrial mechanics work all year, while 36% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 43 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
• 8% of construction millwrights and industrial mechanics 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 53% for all occupations
  • Women: less than 5% compared to 47% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 6% compared to 10% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 15% compared to 28% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 59% compared to 13% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 16% compared to 19% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 21% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Alberta by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Job prospects elsewhere in Canada

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "maintenance mechanic, plant machinery" in Alberta or across Canada.

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