Material handlers in Wood Buffalo - Cold Lake

The employment outlook will be Limited for material handlers (NOC 75101) in the Wood Buffalo - Cold Lake region for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

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

• Fulfillment centres and warehouses near urban areas have brought down delivery costs and times, leading to a demand for workers in this occupation. It is unlikely that the trend will reverse in the near term.
• A growing number of distribution centres across the province should improve economic activity, thereby raising the demand for material handling services across supply chains.

Here are some key facts about material handlers in the Wood Buffalo - Cold Lake region:

• Approximately 600 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
• Material handlers mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Retail Trade (NAICS 44-45): 25%
  • Transportation and warehousing (NAICS 48-49): 22%
  • Wholesale trade (NAICS 41): 17%
  • Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211, 213): 12%
  • Construction (NAICS 23): 6%