Job prospects Mine Captain in the Wood Buffalo–Cold Lake Region

Over the past few years (2021-2023), the labour market was balanced for Supervisors, mining and quarrying in the Wood Buffalo–Cold Lake Region. The number of job openings was about the same as the number of workers available in this occupation.

Source Labour Market Information | Recent Trends Assessment Methodology

The employment outlook will be limited for Supervisors, mining and quarrying (NOC 82020) in the Wood Buffalo - Cold Lake region for the 2023-2025 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.

Coal production in Alberta has been in decline, largely because of the closures of mines aimed at producing thermal coal for domestic use. The government mandated transition from coal-fired power generation to natural gas-fired and renewable energy sources may limit the job opportunities for this mining related occupation. In addition, the proposed Grassy Mountain Coal Project in southwest Alberta, aimed at extracting steelmaking coal is under review by regulatory authorities.

Here are some key facts about Supervisors, mining and quarrying in the Wood Buffalo - Cold Lake region:

• Approximately 140 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
• Supervisors, mining and quarrying mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 74%
  • Mining and quarrying (NAICS 212): 26%

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology