Welders and related machine operators in Côte-Nord

The employment outlook will be Very limited for welders and related machine operators (NOC 72106) in the Côte-Nord and Nord-du-Québec regions for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
• Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Demand for this occupation is influenced by government investment and activity in several manufacturing industries.

Investments in road infrastructure, public transportation, electricity generation, and the construction of rental properties should support employment in this occupation, as many of these sectors require work with metal products.

However, government financial flexibility will be reduced in the coming years due to budgetary constraints. Furthermore, economic uncertainty related to the trade war with the United States could limit hiring of these workers in manufacturing.

Here are some key facts about welders and related machine operators in the Côte-Nord and Nord-du-Québec regions:

• Approximately 490 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
• Welders and related machine operators mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Other services (except public administration) (NAICS 81): 28%
  • Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 21): 23%
  • Fabricated metal product manufacturing (NAICS 332): 14%
  • Construction (NAICS 23): 10%
  • Machinery manufacturing (NAICS 333): 8%