STUDY TRACKS ENGINEERING JOB OUTLOOK THROUGH TO 2018
Ottawa, ON -- Engineers Canada has released a labour market study that shows the current and future market conditions in engineering. The study tracked current national labour supply and demand and includes a projection from 2010 to 2018,...
June 1, 2011 | By MRO Magazine
Ottawa, ON — Engineers Canada has released a labour market study that shows the current and future market conditions in engineering. The study tracked current national labour supply and demand and includes a projection from 2010 to 2018, providing engineering students, universities, employers and governments with insight into labour market forecasts.
The study also includes an overview of disciplines and geographical areas that may benefit from new engineering and technology talent.
Engineers Canada of Ottawa is a national organization of the 12 provincial and territorial associations that regulate the practice of engineering in Canada and licence the country’s more than 234,000 members of the engineering profession. Engineers Canada is the business name of the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers.
“The results of the labour market study will be of benefit to many groups — including high school students that will graduate in the next two years, as it identifies which disciplines and areas of the country will need engineers in the next seven years,” said Chantal Guay, ing., P.Eng., M.Env., Engineers Canada’s chief executive officer.
The study was conducted in conjunction with Randstad Engineering of Toronto, which specializes in engineering recruitment and workforce solutions. “We are excited to be working with Randstad Engineering on this project as a valued and trusted advisor when it comes to workforce planning and strategy,” said Guay.
“The study is very useful for human resources management and career planning,” said Mike Winterfield, president of Randstad Engineering. “Attracting and retaining the best workers will require employers to think about their place within the labour market and the unique selling points of their company. Knowing labour market needs and trends will help companies to better develop, understand and promote their selling points.”
Study results also demonstrate the importance that diversity has in the workplace, said Winterfield. All human differences and perspectives can be potential contributors to success in the engineering and technology sectors, and professions need to be welcoming to a diverse group of people, including women. Providing individuals with the opportunity to excel in an environment that is flexible, respectful, equitable and encouraging will not only benefit the workers but also their employers and society as a whole.
Included in the study is information on qualifications and attribute requirements, along with career opportunities for those considering immigrating to Canada. For instance, while levels of immigration and Canadian graduation established in 2008-2009 are likely sufficient to balance markets across the coming decade, issues such as replacement demands related to retirements in many occupations will add to current challenges in recruiting experienced engineers.
The Engineering Labour Market Conditions 2009-2018 report is available online as a pdf document at www.engineerscanada.ca. For additional information, visit www.randstadengineering.ca.