Job prospects Farm Machinery Operator in New Brunswick

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "farm machinery operator" in New Brunswick or across Canada.

Job opportunities in New Brunswick

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be moderate for Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators (NOC 84120) in New Brunswick for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment decline will lead to the loss of some positions.
• Several positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

• There have been developments in both traditional and non-traditional farming areas that might serve to spur some increase demand in certain niches. For instance, blueberry production is expected to continue to advance, and workers will be required to meet this demand.
• Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators’ roles may vary, depending on the type of farm, and certain types of activities are concentrated in certain parts of the province. For instance, potato farming in concentrated in the centre of the province, while the majority of blueberry production takes place in the province’s Northeast.
• The increased use of advanced farming technology, such as farms with renewable energy-producing systems, will continue to create a need for those with higher skills and knowledge levels. A certificate and/or experience related to operating and maintaining farm equipment is considered an asset.

Here are some key facts about Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators in New Brunswick:

• Approximately 550 people work in this occupation.
• Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Agriculture (NAICS 111, 112, 1151, 1152): 82%
  • Mining and quarrying (NAICS 212-213): 6%
  • Food, beverage and tobacco product manufacturing (NAICS 311, 312): 6%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 87% compared to 84% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 13% compared to 16% for all occupations
• 36% of specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators work all year, while 64% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 34 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
• 6% of specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators are self-employed compared to an average of 10% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 79% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 21% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 35% compared to 11% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 43% compared to 30% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 8% compared to 12% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 11% compared to 23% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 16% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in New Brunswick by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "farm machinery operator" in New Brunswick or across Canada.

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